What can I expect tomorrow at Noah's appt. with the allergist? I honestly do not remember what sort of testing he is having. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure that I was even told the details. The appt. was made at our stay at the hospital, so I was so sleep deprived, I think I only caught the day and time. Is he going to be scared stiff again? How bad will it hurt? This is the LAST thing we need since he's so not over the hospital stay. My poor baby. I just want everyone to leave him alone...

:grouphug: Sending a big hug your way!!

I can only speak to the allergy testing that I have had done as an adult. They have you lay on your tummy and they make a grid on your back w/ a marker. Each spot on the grid is injected with a specific allergen - pollen, animal, food, etc. Then, they wait. After a while, they come and measure the size of the welt. Based on that, they can determine your allergies. It's not fun, that's for sure!

Does it hurt? The pokes of the little needles are okay, but not sure what Noah will think. For me, the worst part was the itchies. I was able to take Benadryl after - and they rubbed an anti-itch cream on my back after.

I hope that they have a better method for kiddos! Poor little Noah...I just want things to get better for him. I've got such a soft spot for him and I haven't even met him!

They may just want some background history and I would probably bring any food logs you have.

I had the testing done, like Miori, but it was done on the inside of my arm, instead of my back, as a child. They did a scratch test on my back, which wasn't bad at all. I don't want to worry you (b/c they may not even do the intradermal testing with an infant) but from what I remember, it hurt. :(

Maybe they'll just do bloodwork?

Here's a link to the types of allergy testing. I'm not sure if these are for kids though.

http://health.allrefer.com/health/allergy-testing-info.html (http://health.allrefer.com/health/allergy-testing-info.html)

Amanda - you are the amazing link Queen! Are you sure you don't work for Google? ;)

We just recently came from an allergy visit for Kylie(6 mo. old). They took the family history and asked about any suspected allergies too. Food log is a good idea. For both of my children, the performed the scratch test and it didn't hurt either one at all. Even the 6 mo. old didn't flinch and you can bet if it did my almost 5 year old would have let that nurse know!!! The whelps itched(those that flared) some but they came right away with some cream that stopped it. I would say our visit was very uneventful as far as trauma goes for both of our girls. I hope your allergist is just as wonderful!

I have no idea Maggie.. but wish you luck with the appointment. Don't forget to update us on how it goes.... :hug:

I have never seen an allergist, but just wanted to wish you lots of luck for the appointment.

I have also had extensive allergy etesting on my arms and back, but I was hoping it wasn't as lengthy for Noah. It takes me 2-3 hours to have mine done. I know the GI said there are only a few tests that we can do, so hopefully they are the shortest and least painful!

Maggie... Lauren had some allergy testing done when she was about 6 mos. old. The ped, whom is also an allergist, drew a grid on her back and poked her with some needles, then kept checking the spots for about 20 mins. She didn't even flinch with the needles. I hope Noah does not either. It should be a lot less stressful than your hospital visit.

I've had the skin-prick allergy tests done numberous times. I don't know about little ones, though. I wish you luck, though, Maggie.

Alexys' allergist wouldndt do the skin prick test on her until she was older, not sure why though. We have had RAST testing done by the ped, but the allergist wouldnt re do that either until shes older. She insists at this age that an elimination diet is the only fool proof way to tell for allergies :smt102 dont know what exactly they will do , prob depends on the dr

Catherine had RAST testing at 7 months. Her allergist said infants/toddlers don't have enough skin for comprehensive skin prick testing (SPT). Trey first had SPT when he was four. He was pricked 64 times on his back and then was re-tested with injections on his arms and legs for the pricks that showed reactions. It's somewhat painful for a young child. I have him tested every two years now.

Allergy testing of any kind is generally considered to be unreliable in children under age 4 as their allergies/sensitivities change with the day of the week. Catherine's RAST results were all negative, and she's clearly allergic to all kinds of things. Observed reaction always trumps test results.

How'd the little one fare at the allergist? Hope you got some answers that will help.