I am getting a basic food allergy test done for my toddler to help eliminate the cause of a consistent rash she has. The pedi doesn't think that she has a food allergy but I am pretty convinced she has a sensitivity to a few foods. The doc did agree to get a food allergy test done to help ease my mind but I have no idea what they do. Does anyone have any insight on this? I hope it's not too bad! Thanks!
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When we went, they asked us about what we thought the issues were. Then they had us take off his shirt and did the scratch test. He definitely itched and it was hard to keep him from messing anything up. There was a lot of waiting. We only did half of one of the food panels.
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When I took a child for one they had us take her shirt off and they did the scratch test on her back. She didn't love the scratch test but they were fast and it doesn't hurt that much (I have had one and I would describe it as being poked with a pin repeatedly but gently.) Like @brownie: the hard part was waiting, they did put a movie on but it didn't really hold her interest (for some reason they still had vhs tapes and she didn't know the characters so if you have a tablet maybe bring that.) She had a lot of reactions and was very itchy, towards the end we spent a lot of time blowing on her back and giving her a bear hug. I will say it wasn't too pleasant but it wasn't by any means traumatizing. Lollipops helped too!
I hope it goes easily for you! I tried to include all the details but don't let it overwhelm you, like I said she had a lot of reactions and I don't think that is the norm. I would call the office and ask how long it typically takes and then plan on an extra half an hour. Novel things will probably help, play doh is great for doctor's offices since you get that paper on the bed!
Good Luck!
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Depends which test they are doing. There is the scratch test that tests for the instant reaction (Ige I think) and the blood test that can also check for the long term reaction ( igg I think). The scratch test has the standard common food items that they do, plus they can do extra items that are not as common. I have had this done twice and had the extra stuff which took 2 arms. I had the blood test done to test for long term sensitivities and allergies in may. They tested for the 99 common allergies. Then you get a report back weeks later with low-mederate-severe reactions. With the scratch test they only tell by the size of the bump or reaction. The blood test is much more accurate then the bump. The blood can test for both short and long term reactions.
I hope that helps!! Allergies and sensitivities are my life right now!! Trying to figure out new ones and calm my immune system down!!! I understand the rash issue!! -
Thanks ladies! Her rash only appears on the inside of her thighs and bottom randomly and I really think it is related to fresh fruit and tomato based sauces. When I first gave her fruits, she would break out in a rash wherever the fruit juices touched her (strawberries, watermelon and even eggs) but they don't appear to bother her now. Pizza sauces but only some spaghetti sauces that touch her make her cry but not ketchup. If the allergy tests don't help then we are going to go to a dermatologist because I am tired of the pedi not helping figure out what is going on. Sorry for the ramble...
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I understand your frustrations!! But it is me and not a LO!!! I actually went the path of a natural path who did the blood test. I was frustrated with my GP as she said that it was environmental. Record what I am eating- which is hard to determine reactions if it is long term reactions!!
I met with the natural path and she explained the biological process of an allergic reaction and the many forms- which I had all. She suggested the blood test to determine anything.
Good luck! I hope that you can figure it out.
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