Testing for allergies, how does it work?

[GooseFatRoasties]

DD has had reactions to hazelnuts. Gp has referred her for testing. What does this involve?

DS is allergic to a variety of treenuts including hazlenuts and has only ever had blood tests.

it is likely that they will test your child against a range of allergens either by skin prick tests or by blood tests. We've had both, the skin prick tests are more reliable than bloods, unless your DD is on permanent anithistamine.

It is now possible to test the hazlenut and the hazlenut tree pollen separately which has made a big difference to our lifestyle. You may want to ask for this further down the line (I'm assuming your DD is young).

Other than this, I'd ask about treatment of reactions - should you have an epi-pen? What's the maximum dose of piriton you can give your child in the event of a reaction (they'll check her weight against charts and make careful notes of any results if they use skin prick tests while you're there.

Good luck!

We had skin prick testing at Guy's allergy clinic, think ds was about 3 or 4 ( he's 9 now) we have to carry epi pens and our GP prescribes them.