Allergy Testing - Richardson,TX

Hi G.! My 17 month old son just had allergy testing. It was NOT BAD at all! He had a skin prick test done on his back. They use small plastic "pricks" with the allergen on the end & they apply it to the back by simply scratching a little. He was hardly affected by this & it goes by so quickly. Then we waited 20 minutes & the Dr came in & determines based on the amount of swelling just what he was allergic to. And WE LOVE OUR DR! John VanWagoner, MD On tollroad in plano ###-###-#### www.southwestallergy.com It is so nice to finally know what is that is bothering my son. Our world has changed tremendously & we just saw him last Friday!

Hi G.!! I had my daughter tested when she was little and it wasn't too bad. Plus, it was great to see what she was allergic too.

I would also like to give you this info...By switching over to all natural products (getting the toxins/chemicals out of your home) your allergies, asthma will definitely improve, it not dissappear! I can help you switch store and get these products in your home and help with these issues.

Thanks!
T.
____@____.com

Hi, G.!
I haven't had my younger son tested *yet*, but I was tested at a very early age, and we are planning on having him tested soon, too. The procedure is done by 1 of 2 ways now: the first way is to do a "skin patch" test, where they will "prick" your daughter's back with specific allergens. Each area that develops a "whelp" on her back is a positive reaction to that allergen. The whelps are graded on a scale of 1 to 4, with 4 being a severe allergy. Yes, it will itch and it will be a little, and I mean just a little, painful as they "prick" her skin. I would ask the dr if it's ok to give her some Tylenol prior to the test, but I would not give it to her without the dr's approval. The 2nd way is to simply draw some blood, and run it through the lab to see if there are any antigens to the allergens being introduced. I know adults can have their allergies tested this way now, but I'm not sure if they are testing children this way or not, yet.

It's my personal opinion that it is best to go ahead and get her tested. That way you will know what she is allergic to, and you can start helping her avoid it (foods and dust), or treat it with the appropriate meds (pollens and other environment, plus the foods/dust). If you don't, she will just *suffer*, and that's not a good thing, especially if the allergies turn out to be severe. Your pedi should be able to recommend an allergist to test and treat your daughter. Just remember to call the dr and verify that they take your insurance first. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me at ____@____.com, or you can call me at ###-###-####. I'm a sahm.

Hope your daughter starts feeling better! ~J.~

G.,

I used Elliot J. Ginchansky, MD, Allergy & Asthma Assoc, 7777 Forest Lane, C-530, Dallas, TX 75230, ###-###-####. My son was probably around 11 or 12 at the time. I was just so frustrated with his asthma and allergies acting up and not sure how to cope with it. Our peditrician was wonderful; but, I was determine to get "to the root" of the problem. Long story short, my son had a scratch test. We discovered some things he was allergic to -- nothing major or severe. We got some good advice on seasonal treatments. I, then, felt like I had done all I could to get all the information that was available to me. It was worth it to gain peace of mind.

Good luck. All my family, including me, suffer from seasonal allergies and it's just miserable.

R.