Asthmatic dd (12) ..... is it worth getting allergy testing done?( NOT food allergies though)

[dolally]

recent blood test showed she's highly allergic to the usual inhaled allergens, the doc suggested we went for specific allergy testing...but I wonder if it's worth it, all the hassle, the time off school etc... when we basically know what she's allergic to.

Anyone done it?

Dd's fed up with blood tests and time off school and inhalers etc, and would do it if she thought there was a chance that she could get rid of these allergies. But I don't reckon there is, is there?? And I don't want her to get her hopes up.

Anyone know anything, done this?

anyone??

Never had allergy tests for asthma but ds who is asthmatic has also got loads of food allergies and consultant said it all contributes.

still gets asthma symptoms although we avoid known allergies.

I've had the allergy tests (severe asthma and various food allergies), and found them really helpful - I now avoid foods / drugs / substances that I know set me off - definitely worth doing.

For instance - many asthmatics have an intolerance for aspirin - but the same chemical is present in silver birch pollen (aspirin comes from the birch tree), tomatoes, all ibuprofen-type drugs (including ralgex spray) ... by finding out that I was allergic to that specific chemical, I have avoided hospital admissions dus to asthma for the past 5 years.

Yes, it's a faff while you're going through the process, but having done it, it's made my life much easier.

Good luck to your dd ...

thanks for that. good to know it helped you ejt.

She doesn't seem to have any food allergies, it appears to be only inhalants, I KNOW she's allergic to cats, dust and pollen... the usuals.

Her asthma usually takes the form of a very tight chest, and if I could get rid of it for her I would do anything... just don't know if I want to subject her to all that and get her hopes up without much foundation.

Allergy tests typically take half a day. You could try to arrange them for a non school day but I wouldn't get her hopes up, they probably couldn't offer much if the problem is inhaled allergens. They are very difficult to avoid. You may be able to get some advice on management but you could probably find that on the internet. You could ask about Enzyme Potentiated Desensitization and whether that offers any help or about the newest drugs.

Have you been advised to remove carpets, curtains, teddies, etc from her room, vacum and dust everyday? I'm just curious following a program on tv a few months ago saying how doctors never gave this advice and yet it made a dramatic difference.

just seen these last post, thanks girls.

Yes I have tried to remove soft toys, books, carpets etc from her bedroom. Difficult to say if it made much difference as her asthma has never really been too bad! Just annoying for her and one period a month ago when she seemed to have hay fever, and a cold at the same time. For a day or so she needed her blue inhaler several times a day.

EPD looks interesting!