Challenge Test - What happens (eggs/nuts for us)

[cocococo]

After skin prick testing last week our lovely consultant Prof Lack is sending DS for a Challenge Test at St Marys. RAST tests came back negative but DS still tested positive to skin prick testing but size of bumps have slowly been getting smaller (still very visible though!). He said we'd spend the day there and DS would have an IV line in but didnt really explain what else happens. Anyone been through it and can explain? DS very nervous about it, not keen on having IV in all day and I'd like to tell him what to expect so he's prepared.
Thanks
Cx

[williamsmummy]

we have been through three food challenges under Dr Lack.
My son was very worried the first time about the IV /canula being put in.

You arrive and meet your nurse who shows you the bed, and than organises the doc to put the canula in.
Normally taken to small room, colourfully decorated, and one distracts , while another puts the canular in the hand.

I am not sure how old your child is? so they will approach it differently with age of child.

once that bit is over, then the fun begins.
You might get to see the woman in charge of play, and all the toys. Getting a playstation set up is a good distraction.

Food wise, its a slow build up, with regular checks of temp, skin , blood pressure, and chest.

The food is increased slowly and ALL of it has to be eaten.

we had a varity of egg challenges with the raw egg put on face first , waiting for 20 mins, then some on his lip, then more checking and waiting.

it gets boring for the adults, the kids spend the time playing.
my son spent some time, playing football with another child in the corridor with the nurse watching closely.

Its a long day.
I hope this helps, any questions?

[cocococo]

thanks so much for your answers. DS is 6 and not looking forward to it at all. He's a fussy so and so, so trying to get him to eat all the nuts/eggs etc is going to be interesting. Thanks so much for telling me that so I can prepare him beforehand!
A day spent playing sounds good so maybe I'll just pack up loads of toys for him... I'll have to pack a book for me too.
thanks a lot