What exactly would an allergy test tell me about ds?

[mawbroon]

My ds is now 14.5 months and appears to have an egg allergy. I was very strict about avoiding it until age 1, especially as his cousin had a really severe egg allergy until age 8.
I gave him little more than a crumb of birthday cake on his birthday and his face and eyes became swollen along with little bite like lumps on his leg. My GP referred me to the Paed at the hospital who basically said "sounds like he's allergic to egg, so don't give him any and come back in three months and we might do some tests then"
Since then, I accidentally touched ds on the arm with the tiniest smear of coleslaw mayonnaise on my finger and the small area that I touched almost immediately popped up with lots of hives. Although a little bunch of hives doesn't seem like much, I can't help but wonder what on earth is going to happen to him if he accidentally eats some egg.
So, my question is this. If I go ahead with allergy tests (next appointment is mid February), what exactly am I going to learn? I already know that he's allergic to egg. Can the tests indicate the level of severity of the allergy or do they test for other allergies at the same time? I don't want to put ds through having blood taken, or skin tests, or whatever, just to tell me that he is allergic to eggs!! Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks

[aideesmum]

Hi.
I would definitely have the skin tests done. My ds had the skin tests (then 14 months) and they tested for the egg white and egg yolk seperately as well as a few other things. They only prick the skin and put a small amount of liquid onto it and leave it for 10 mins and see what has reacted. It also tells you how allergic to egg he is. My ds reacts just by the smallest touch of something with uncooked egg in it, not so much with cooked egg products - cakes etc.
I also got a prescription of piriton to keep with me at all times in case he reacts to something and the nursery keeps one as well just in case!
He has his next tests in May (a year after the first) and I think they do this each year until he (hopefully) grows out of it.
Well worth it.

[mawbroon]

Hi aideesmum. Thanks for your reply. Were the skin tests distressing for your ds or was he ok? I have piriton too for ds since the first episode. I wish it came in smaller bottles or sachets or something rather than having to cart a full bottle around all the time!

[williamsmummy]

I think its very sensible to have the tests done.
If you have one allergy its more likely that you have another.
for instance egg and peanut/nut allergies in children are a common combination.
That said, egg and milk are the ones most commonly outgrown by the time the child is 5-7.
20% of nut allergic children out grow their allergy.

The test are not that bad, a small area of 'magic cream' is applied to hand or arm, so that area is numb when blood is drawn.
Distraction works well with young children when this happens.

As for skin prick tests, its a small , tiny jab that is not that painful.

there is of course the fact that the only safe way to determine if your child has outgrown the allergy in the next few years, is only by skin and blood tests. Then a safe hospital food challenge test.

A good book to read, 'the complete guide to food intolerance and food allergy' by Prof brostoff, published by Gamlin

[mawbroon]

Thanks williamsmummy. I think that we will go ahead with the tests, but I did really get the feeling that the consultant wasn't that keen but the only reason he gave was that it is causes the child discomfort. Hmm, maybe the hospital is trying to save money

[aideesmum]

The skin tests weren't really distressing, they do hurt but only for a second. As soon as they were done he went into their playroom and started playing so no need to worry. I would make sure you put him in a long sleeve top for when the test is done as if he does react to them it will itch and he'll try to scratch them.
When my ds had his test they tested for Dog hair as he had reacted to a dog before, it came out positive so before you go have a think to see if there is anything else to test him for while you are there. I think they do about 6 ish?
Good luck.