My 3 year old son had allergy testing on Tuesday. They did it on his back and read the results in 20 minutes. He only reacted to the molds. Then, I noticed the next day that some of the other bumps had turned red and looked irritated, but I assumed this must be normal. Then, today (Thursday), my son was complaining that his back was itchy and I saw that it looked really red and a few of the bumps were really large and irritaed (not the same mold bumps he had orinally reacted to at the office). I called the office and the doctor explained that this was a delayed reaction, and (after I described to her which spots were inflamed) that he's also allergic to ragweed, weeds, and trees, which would explain why his symptoms are SO bad right now, I guess. My question is, how common is this delayed reaction? Why didn't the doctor warn me this could happen? I almost didn't call because I assumed it must just be how it is. Is it really rare? And does it mean anything? I mean, does that mean when he's exposed to ragweed, his response is always delayed, or does it mean he has the same allergic reaction as someone who had an immediate response? When will his back be normal and non-itchy again?
Thanks,
M.
Give him some zyrtec before he goes to bed. It is a safe anithistamine for kids two years and older. It should make a big difference by the next day. Sorry to hear of all of his allergies. good luck
It may just mean that he doesn't react as strongly to the allergen. Ask your doctor/allergist these questions.. that's what you are paying them for!
My son's allergy test was done through a blood draw and blood serum tests. I don't know if they can/will do that for a 3 yr old. My son was 11 when we had him tested. They drew what seemed like a lot of blood (my son actually passed out for a second or two, b/c he had been fasting overnight for a cholesterol test also). Anyway, the blood testing gives a numeric measurement of how reactive his body is the the allergen. Some things were very high, others were barely registered... so perhaps the "late" reaction just means he has a mild reaction to those particular things? Write down all your questions and follow up with the doctor. If you don't write them down, you will get distracted/confused and forget some of your questions.
Did doctor recommend benedryl or some other antihistamine?
Can you put some topical anesthetic on the itchy places?
I don't know the answers to the delayed reactions.
But probably you need to keep some benedryl (or other antihistamine)
on hand to use when son has allergic symptoms.
good luck.
How odd, I have never heard of that before. I think the doc should have informed you that if any changes occurred to call right away.
I reacted to 74 out of 80 things they tested me for (on my back was only about 40, my arms where they injected the allergin, reacted to the rest). They gave me a shot of Epinephrine and sent me home...I didn't go back there again.
Hi, M.:
check the web for another testing:
ELISA/ACT
Also check the web for digestiv enzymes for kids at
Hope this helps.
D.
Typically a reaction will occur within 4 to 8 hours of exposure but this is not always the case. Yes delays longer than 4 hours are not as common, but people can and do react badly even 12 to 24 hours after exposure. They should have mentioned it at the office but I doubt many do. It is not real common so they probably just don't. I come from a family with allergies, and everyone varies with how they react. Some react quickly and some react slowly, some react badly and others mildly. Food allergies are more likely to have a more immediate response than trees/grasses, etc., but some people even have delayed response to foods. He may need something to help during the seasons that affect him, something like zyrtec or a nasal spray. My daughter is daily zyrtec which really helps her. My son is on a nasal spray but only as needed. As for if it is always delayed i can't answer. Allergies are constantly changing and exposure to allergens can change the reaction for better or worse depending on the person. He may always have a delayed response. I would make sure to bathe him after any exposure, especially washing hair. And yes it can mean he is just as allergic as someone who has an immediate response, but it could also be he is less allergic or more allergic. I know not much help, but in the world of allergies nothing is exact. Basically you need to look at him and his reaction whether delayed or immediate and see how bad it is. A blood test might help confirm the things he is allergic to but I know some allergists don't want to do both right away. And just treat the symptoms.
When he is older allergy shots may help lessen his allergies, but for now there is not much else to do but avoid the allergens, bathe a lot and take medicine as needed. I would uses a topical anti-histamine if he is not better yet. Or give some benedryl to help with the itching. If it isn't better in a day I would call the Dr. for a script for something to help with the itching on his back. I use a steroid cream on my son's excema as needed and something like that might help. Sorry you are going through this, and I hope your little guy gets some relief soon!
Sounds like I would find a new allergist.
When I have the testing done after the alloted time period they wipe everything off so that there is no allergen left to irritate. (So no I have never heard of this happening before.) Have you given your son a bath since the testing that would clean it off? I would probably administer Benadryl too.
never heard of the delayed reactions, but i'm sure they happen. i would suggest going out right away and getting some benedryl cream and put it right on the spots. he should have some relief right away.
give him baking soda baths to ease the itch or vinegar baths and some benedryl. I didn't have a delayed reaction so this is a new one on me.
