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If you spoke to my mum she would tell you i was born with a runny nose, so yes it can start that early.
My mum had to fight for me to be tested finally had them at 14yrs (had about 48 skin pricks). I was treated with various eye/nose drops and yes antihistamines do work (althrough i am allergic to them as well ).
I was told it goes in 7yrs cycles (this was 22yrs ago so it may have changed) so it could go at 7,14 or 21yrs. I have found it has got better the older i have got.
If you can give them as much infomation as possible, if i remember correctly they tested for all general things, and had boxes (100's)of different things to test they went through.
Does it respond to antihistamine? How often do you give antihistamine?
What do you want from this visit.
You want to know two main things:
1. what causes it. 2. how to get rid\treat it.
To determine what causes it they should do some allergy tests as psycho has said, they may also do a blood test in conjunction with skin prick so be prepared. The first time we took ds1 to clinic I paid an exhorbitant amount of money and travel to be told to take him to Dublin (other side of country) for tests at his other clinic. So not many answers for us on first visit. Basically just took a history and made an appointment for tests.
It isn't necessarily down to just environmental allergens as food allergens can cause these symptoms as well, particularly dairy.
I would not go to a health shop for skin prick tests. They should only be done in a clinic\hospital setting in rare case of anaphylaxis.
You should have some history of some sort. Even if it's just he's had a runny nose every day of his life since the day he was born....
Or since he was 1.5
Or it's worse in the spring\summer.
They usually only test for a set of common allergens so you may not get your answers. He may be allergen to something that isn't on their screen. So if you tell them that it is worse if he goes outside or a certain time of year or after he eats x, y and z then they can test for specific things that may not be on the set screen iykwim.
I would enquire about treatment options as well. The efficacy of antihistamines will wear off if used daily so what are your options? What home improvements do they recommend? Air purifier? Bedding? Get rid of pets?, etc.
TMMJ, i will keep my eyes open at the health shop near me. They often have skin prick days where they will give you very simple allergy tests. Will let you know if they have one before your official appointment
Where about in the country do you live, highly polluted, hayfever hell, near fields? If you have been offered a referral take it, this will clear things up.
Where about in the country do you live, highly polluted, hayfever hell, near fields? If you have been offered a referral take it, this will clear thing up.
Pollen - Tree,grass and funghi Cats and most small particals.
My systems constant runny nose, itchy eyes, ears and throat. At the mo i could quite easly turn my head inside out and give it a godd scratch . My soft pallet also swells as does my throat when i eat certain fruit.
referral is good....allergies can be defined exactly as your son is reacting....they are more likely to be airborne allergens tho!!
once there, they will ask said Q's, and then either make another appointment for blood tests, or do them the same day, so you may need to go prepared for a long visit.
they will also be likely to do 'skin prick' tests.....ie, they will do several drops of different allergens down the arm, numbereed so they know which is which, and then do a teeny 'stab' in the middle of each drop (with seperate needles) to introduce allergens thro the skin.
now, said 'stabs' are not supposed to hurt.....they did me, but then, I have no pain threshold (except for giving birth threshold).
i don't know whether i'm over reavting tbh. he isn't ill, he isn't having mad reactions etc just this constand running nose and the random red eyes.i cannot put any pattern to the eyes at all. totally random.
he is hating the nose as we always telling him not to sniff and his nose gets sore with being wiped all the time.
is it worth taking up the referral do you think or am i being over anxious mum?
). 
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TMMJ 
