Sending Out the Mommy Signal Again--Allergies

Is she having the scratch test done? It's not horrendous, but definately not pleasant! They put a series of scratches on your child's back w/ plastic applicators ...the allergens are present in the applicators. Then, I believe, you wait about 15 minutes for the reaction (per my recollection). It makes your child itchy, and you're supposed to stop them from itching the area...difficult! Bring comfort items and and things for her to play with, etc. I remember it being tedious and being there for a while.. that was our experience, anyway.

Hi

Do not sweat the allergy testing. A lot easier than a blood test! Are you going to CHOP? Their allergy team is great. We see Dr. Spergel. They basically put a few drops on your childs arm and then with a tiny needle just prick the surface. The challenging thing is you can't touch it for 10 minutes. They will probably have you sit her on your lap and you hold her arms extended. Whenever my 4 yr old gets tested we blow on his arms which seems to help. The big thing I will tell you is bring a portable dvd player with you so she can watch her favorite movie and get through the 10 minutes. If you are going to CHOP each room has a vcr/dvd player so bring her favorite movie. If they opt for the patch test, all it is is a large patch they medical tape to her back and it 2 days they remove it and see the results. The hardest thing about that is gettting the patch off. Baby oil did the trick for us. Put her in a tub and use the baby oil to get all the tape off. They do this test usually on Fridays and you return on Monday to read the results. Keep in mind all these tests are only about 70% accurate-but it is a start. My son is allergic to dairy, corn and eggs. If she is allergic to dairy and eggs there are a lot of products you can buy. At first it is difficult but in no time you and she will be adjusted. I would highly recommend you have the allergy testing done at CHOP.

Hope this helps

unfortunately, you will probably have to get rid of the cat. i do not think that the allergy tests will be as bad as you think.you do not want her to stop breathing because she swells up. as far as the milk she can drink soy milk. i am sorry that you have to deal with allergies with pets and food,it is a bummer. i hope my response does not sound bad but i had a friend who had to give her cat away because she was really allergic to her.I have a cat and i feel for you because she is really sweet and part of the family. hope everything comes out alright.

My now 6-year-old son was diagnosed with allergies to eggs, milk, wheat and soy when he was just over 1 year old. The great news is that he has grown out of all of them. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (http://www.foodallergy.org/) is a great resource for information.

We see Dr. Becker with Main Line Allergy Associates, if you are looking for a good allergist. He and his staff are great with kids. The scratch test is not too bad. When you get into doing food challenges, that can be more difficult, but a good allergist can make all the difference.