What to expect from an allergy test?

[Wonderwine]

I have an appointment at the hospital in a few weeks times for tests for some suspected food allergies I seem to have developed.

I'm just wondering what to expect? Someone suggested it was probably skin prick testing.

Am I going to end up with an arm full of angry red pimples, and if so, how long will they last? I am due to go to a posh dinner in a strappy dress a few days later!

Also, will there be any after effects, as I am due to go on holiday the following week?

I'm just wondering if I should move the appointment?

Skin patch test.

Unfortunately it only showed three with a slight reaction on a fourth. Just like a hive really. One came up straight away and others within ten minutes. Most gone by the time I got home. Hospital about 1 1/2 hrs away. One by next day I think. I was given emergency pack as local hospital kept me 4 1/2 hrs last time to give me ...Piritin! Which I told them I had taken to no avail and my face took a week to go down. I was at an important event that afternoon too. I was livid as previously I had been given steroids but doctor wouldn't give it to me and I had to go with fat face and lisps as mouth swollen. Consulant at other hospital said it was ridiculous and gave me emergency pack including steroids so hopefully I don't have to access A&E.
I was hoping we would have more results.
Good luck.

Everyone I know who's had the skin prick test (me and DS) had it done on our backs. They prick the skin and then put a sticky next to it with the name of the allergen on it. So you have a column going down your back and you are supposed to keep it dry for several days.

You are unlikely to be allergic to many things- most people react to 1-3 and it's a tiny raised pimple usually.

What do they think you might be allergic to? True allergy is quite rare and it's also hard to diagnose by skin prick tests; they tend to use elimination diets more for food and skin prick for things like dust mites, pollen etc.

My experience with ds is skin prick test on arm. The marks go down really quickly once an antihistamine is taken. Slight marks can be seen later in the day but nothing major. They cannot do this test if you have taken anti histamine in the 4 days previous to the test.

Other option is a blood test. It depends on the clinic/your history which they will decide to do. The benefit of the skin prick test is that you get a result straight away. It tells you how likely you are to have an allergic reaction, but not how severe it will be.

I dont think either will cause you issues with regards to strappy dress or holiday.