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Going to hospital for allergy testing

7 replies

MJP1 · 01/07/2013 20:54

Hi we're off to the hospital on Thursday to have allergy testing done on my 20 week old (suspected cows milk allergy)
What can we expect? Will it be upsetting/horrific for her and me?
Will I get any answers/support if it is an allergy

What questions should we be asking?

If anyone has any advice or experiences I would be really interested in your responses.

Thank you

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savoirfaire · 01/07/2013 21:22

From memory, they can do this in 2 ways. When DS was approx the same age (no older) the tests were done by taking blood from him (not fun to watch, but quite quick) and then them testing the blood. DS didn't have a scratch test (where they put potential allergens on the skin) until he was about 18mo. The scratch test is worse - as they pierce the skin in a number of places and make it itch, basically. I don't know if that is standard or not. However, I would say that you should make sure to ask about the reliability of the results of the different sorts of testing. I didn't find out until much later that either sort of testing is actually not totally reliable. We were told that DS had allergies to a number of things (including peanut) at this early test and it has turned out in the longer term that he is not allergic to any of those things. He came out with a dairy allergy at this early test, but is totally fine with dairy - of course he could have grown out of it, but peanut allergy you don't grow out of, and perhaps he was never allergic to dairy either - but of course I stopped him having any for over a year until he was retested. I wish I had discussed the reliability more with them to be honest as I was left a bit confused by the whole thing. Also, don't expect a definitive response. DS still has allergic reactions to things which he has never been tested for, despite having had at least 3 allergy tests over the years.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 01/07/2013 21:33

There is sone more info hereSmile

Misty9 · 01/07/2013 21:47

Depends on your LO and how much they like hate hospitals IMO!

Had allergy testing for ds a few weeks ago and, sorry to say, it was horrendous for both of us. BUT, he absolutely hates hospitals and anything being administered to him (jabs, plasters, blood pressure tapes, anything!).

We were given the option of scratch test or bloods, but consultant suggested the latter given how anxious ds was just to go in the room with her! Unfortunately blood test was botched the first time as they surprise surprise couldn't get ds to keep still and blew his vein.
Finally got it done back in the children's hospital bit with a tube to a needle in his hand (so didn't need to keep stock still) but he was an hysterical sobbing mess by this point and I was covered in snot

On the plus side, I'm sure your experience won't be anything as traumatic :) prepare for the worst and all that!

Oh, and ds was being tested for a fish allergy btw.

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Misty9 · 01/07/2013 21:48

He was 20mo at the time, forgot to say.

CatL · 01/07/2013 22:33

DD went for egg allergy test at about 11 months. They did a skin prick test, which she cried over of course, but was soon distracted. I think it is easier when they are babies, as they forget about things. there was quite alot of waiting around, as had to see nurse for weight etc, then doctor to discuss reason for referral, then wait to see nurse for test, then wait to see doctor again for result of test. Was there for hours!

She was allergic, so we went back when she was about 2 and a bit to be retested, and that time due to some mix up, the nurses who could do skin prick tests weren't there, and she had to have blood test. They gave her aneasthetic cream first, and DH who took her fed her chocolate buttons during the test! Again, cried, and as older didn't forget about it as easily, but certainly not as bad as Misty9 experienced!

I was initially annoyed they has made her got through blood test, especially as had to wait weeks for results, but I am told they are more accurate. And it turns out she has grown out of allergy, which is great.

Unlike savoir faire (and several others I've spoken to) they would only test for egg, which she had had a suspected reaction too, which is a shame as at 3 1/2 we are still too scared to give her peanuts in case she is allergic! They did however take quite an interest in her eczema, which we hadn't expected. They also referred to a dietician, which was pointless - appointment came through months after her diagnosis, and basically consisted of them telling me she shouldn't eat eggs,and what eggs are , which I'd worked out myself by then!

savoirfaire · 01/07/2013 22:50

Grin @ 'what eggs are' (all too believable that this is what they said!).

MJP1 · 02/07/2013 09:24

Thank you for all the replies x

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