Can babies have IGE/RAST tests?

[hostelgirl74]

My baby keeps getting eczema and i really want to try and see what i can do to stop it best i can but my doctor wont refer him for tests saying i should "observe" him instead. Firstly, can babies have the test and has anyone had either the IGE or skin prick tests and can you advise me if it helped at all. We do observe him but are forever trying to see "patterns" that we cant see. We have bought all sorts of creams for him/prescription creams and also use eco balls. He is 5 months old. People say he will probably outgrow it but its not them up all night holding him down to stop him scratching. My baby has to sleep woth me and my partner sleeps downstairs.

Has he got steroids for his skin? Ask to be referred to a dermatologist.

I dont know what RAST is but my baby had a blood test at 5 months, his ige level was 'high at 80' but knowing that made no difference to his eczema. We have to use steroids a lot unfortunately.

What creams do you use? How often? Wet wraps are pretty amazing.

The RAST is the blood test. My DS2 had RASTs done at 6 months old, but that was after a massive reaction (anaphylactic shock) to a fromage frais. I don't know if they do them so young is there hasn't been an allergic reaction. They may do, I just don't have experience of that.

Thats exactly what happened to us likeanin
had he had yoghurt before that?

OP I know how hard it is to see your baby suffering with eczema and how much you want to find a reason for it and therefore a 'cure'. Sadly however there often isn't a specific reason (other than genetics) and therefore no 'magic wand'. You need to ask your GP for a referral to a dermatologist (don't take no for an answer). When my DS finally got referred to a dermatology nurse, she totally changed our lives - I will always be grateful to her.

Skin prick and RAST tests are only done when there is a strong suspicion of specific allergies (ie previous allergic reactions), eczema alone is not a reason for this type of allergy testing. Sometimes in adults & older children with severe eczema, skin patch testing may be done to see if there are specific things that make the eczema worse (eg dust mites, dogs, house dust etc) but this isn't suitable for babies. What you need is a really good skin care routine involving steroid ointments (probably stronger than what you've been prescribed up to now) and lots of emollients. Some tips: cream your child 4-5 times a day with emollient (NOT aqueous cream), bath every day using bath emollient (eg Dermol 600) and NO soap or shampoo ever (use soap replacement like hydromol or Epaderm), turn off the radiator in the bedroom (even in the winter), put a cup of water in the bedroom (on a shelf out of reach) to stop the air drying out, use non-perfumed non-bio washing powder/liquid, and sleepsuits with fold-over scratch mitts or specialist eczema sleepsuits.