What Should I Expect at an Allergy 'Challenge' Appointment?

[Siddhartha]

DS (15 months old)has allergies to egg and dairy. He's had the skin prick test and now he has to go for an 'Egg Challenge'

Has anyone been through this and can give me some pointers about what to expect? We've been told to get there at 9am with our little box of scrambled egg and that it will take all day as the appointment with the allergy consultant isn't til 3pm.

But beyond that, how do I manage with an energetic toddler who is used to being outdoors, who doesn't nap til the afternoon and what do i feed him while we are there? (i'm used to doing home-cooked stuff made fresh at mealtimes as we live very rurally) .

Any help or ideas as to how to entertain him gratefully received

If you re-post this on the Allergies board, I'm sure someone will be along to help soon.

Hi
sorry I'm not going to be able to offer any practical advice as I'm currently waiting for my dd's first allergy appointment but I didn't want to leave this unanswered. There's an allergies topic so you might get more help if you post over there.

As I said I've no practical experience apart from what I've been told by rl friends that have done allergy challenges. I understand that they will gradually increase the contact eg, touch on arm, then face etc. to gauge reaction.

I suppose it depends on the set up at your hospital but I'm guessing they'll have a play area - its quite large at my local hospital and they have DVDs playing to for a bit of a distraction. Have you got any toys that are small enough to take that will provide entertainment for a while, crayons and paper maybe. Sorry my dc's are 5yo and 8 months so can't remember what it's like having a 15 month old!

Hopefully someone will have some more advice for you soon :)

Good luck

hi thanks, i'm replying here because the appointment was this morning and so I don't really need any more advice.

Meg - the appointment actually lasted less than 2 hours. DS had the scrambled egg touched on his lip and was monitored for 15 minutes, then as he had no visible reaction, he was cajoled into putting a bit into his mouth then spitting out (not hard!) then monitored for 15 minutes again but after about 10 he began to scratch, he got a red raised rash on his arms and legs (not lip or face though, which is where i was expecting it to appear).

So, the challenge was stopped and a double dose of chlorphenamine given. then we had to stick around for an hour while he wriggled and scratched to make sure he okay. We now have an appointment with a dietician that I requested and another egg challenge in a years time!

The consultant was very child-friendly and the paediatric clinic is very nice with lovely toys and books so we weren't bored!

Thanks again for your responses

Hope your DD's appointment is uneventful