Allergy testing older children

[cassgate]

Bit of background. I am allergic to peanuts, all tree nuts and fish. Have been since 6 mths old am now 41.

DD now 9 and ds 6 are both allergic to eggs. We discovered this when they both had reactions to eggs as babies. Anyway, because of my allergies both dcs have never eaten peanuts, any kind of tree nut or fish. Dr advised that we should avoid them until at least age 7.

I have been thinking about this more and more lately and have decided that we need to find out for sure if they are allergic or not. Obviously, I can't just give them these things to try due to my own allergies so want to have them allergy tested. I want to go down the private route for speed but I have no idea how to go about it and what allergy testing actually involves.

Any ideas from anyone greatfully received.

Thanks

Sarah

Your GP will be able to do a private referral for you. Whereabouts are you? I bet someone on here will be able to recommend a good specialist nearby.

My guess if it will involve skin prick tests and / or blood tests as well as taking a history from you.

Maz is right, it will probably involve blood and/or skin prick tests. However, there is no 'definitive' test other than a food challenge as blood/skin tests only show the likelihood of an allergy but are not very accurate. You may therefore be offered a food challenge instead.

are they likely to react to something they have never had though?

have the kids always avoided nuts, fish and traces?

In that case it may not show up on an allergy test.

you can go private for skin prick tests ask GP

though I am unsure as to how accurate they will be if they have never had say nuts or fish or things that may have traces..