Allergy Blood Test?

NYMomof2
Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:53:29 +0000

astrophysicsmom, My advice would be to go to an allergist soon. You will be given skin prick tests using kind of a two-dimensional comb with different substances on each point (not really painful; S1 giggled when he had his first one at 15 months). It is important to find out exactly what you are allergic to so that you can take any measures that are indicated. You are almost certainly allergic to tree pollen (spring) and possibly ragweed (fall), but there could be other allergies as well. For example, you might be allergic to dust mites; if you are, then encasing your mattress in a special cover and washing all bedding in hot water can reduce your exposure. The more you can reduce your exposure to all problem substances, the better you will feel.

An allergist might also be able to prescribe more effective medications.

Skin tests are the standard. There are very sensitive blood tests, but they are not available everywhere. S1 was referred to a center that offered them. The reason that he had them was that his skin test reactions to certain foods had diminished to the point that his allergist was considering food challenges, and she wanted to get additional information.

S1 is one of very few people who outgrew a documented peanut allergy.