scratch test results vs. blood test resuts

lindac1 · July 2011

Hi, I have a question if anyone has any insight and can help! We recently had blood testing done on DD (she had a reation to PB and the pedi ordered blood tests) and the tests came back that she is allergic to peanut butter, almonds, and sesame. It also came back negative for pecans and coconut (even though it's a fruit, but it was tested anyway). That was all they tested for Our ped then referred to an allergist who we saw yesterday.

The allergist did those skin scratch tests, where they press things on her back and wait for the reaction. She did have positive reactions to several things, including the peanut butter. But, they showed no reaction to the almond and no reaction to the sesame. She's never had a problem w/sesame, so I'm considering this not a real allergy but she HAS reacted to almond oil several times in creams. She also showed a negative reaction to cats, yet everytime we are anywhere where people have cats she gets itchy, she gets red, puffy, watery eyes, sneezes constantly, and is generally uncomfortable.

So, my question to anyone who has more experience with this is, can the scratch tests be inaccurate? This is all totally new to us so we're trying to learn all we can. Thanks for any help on this!

Blackvelvet · July 2011

Why I had the scratch test they told me it was not as accuarate especially for foods but that it was cheaper.

ABColeslaw · July 2011

scatch test are very inaccurate, especially at this age.

Miller238 · July 2011

ABColeslaw:
scatch test are very inaccurate, especially at this age.

Her DD is almost 6 so they aren't inaccurate. There are chances of false positives, but at this age, her immune system should be developed and you should be able to rely on the results. I would continue to give sesame since she has no reaction, but definitely avoid almond. Are there other environmental influences when she is around cats? I would do my best to avoid being around them and give her zyrtec when you know she will be around them that day.

lindac1 · July 2011

Thanks for the info, everyone. Miller - she also tested positive for dust/dust mites, so we thought perhaps it was that (you know, houses with carpet, fabric furniture, etc. and the cat fur getting in that) but one of the places she reacted to cats was my MIL, who had a brand new house, new furniture, and hardwood floors. I didn't think of Zyrtec; we've been using Benadryl. Do you think Zyrtec is better, or are they basically the same?

We will definitely continue to avoid almonds. The allergist said we need to avoid all tree nuts, just to be on the safe side.

MrsBeckO · July 2011

lindac:
I didn't think of Zyrtec; we've been using Benadryl. Do you think Zyrtec is better, or are they basically the same?

Based on the recommendation of DD's allergist, we use Children's Claritin as a preventative for DD when we know she will be in a home/place with dogs and cats. We save Benadryl for use to treat a reaction.

I don't know if there's a big difference between Zyrtec and Claritin though.. we just went with what our dr preferred, but I know there can be differences in opinion with that sort of thing.

magdusia · July 2011

my son had the skin test at 7 months following a blood test. Skin test showed negative to sesame, blood test showed positive, but low. It was a false positive but it could also be due to the level of his allergy.

I would go by the blood test and by your gut feeling.. If the blood test shows no cat allergy but she reacts to cats - avoid cats. I feel like the gut feeling is stronger than any test. It can also be that she's reacting to something in that house where the cats are.

it really does become a guessing game and you become the investigator..

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scratch test results vs. blood test resuts

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