at what age can you have an allergy test done?

[jag5000]

can't find that info anywhere...

is it a safe thing to have done on a small child (12 mths)?

I only know about the skin prick tests.. are there any others?

Thanks! :)

[lovelymum]

My friend had her DD tested at around 12 months after she had a reaction to peanuts, Jem had the skin pricking done which I beleive is the only way to diagnose she did test positive to peanuts. My DS had allergy testing at around 18 months skin pricking as well and honestly it is completly painless they dont actually use needles to prick the skin its a little lancet that they just do a little (cant even see it its so small) scrape on the skin the allergist did it on me and I didnt feel it. The most challenging part is getting them to sit still. I believe when they are young they do it on their back, my ds had it on each arm. It took a while but they sent us out for a break. I believe you are in the same area as us there is an allergy centre in Frankston (across from bunnings) run by Dr David Bannister he would be your best bet if you were thinking of doing it or else you may have to travel towards the city. Hope this helps

[jag5000]

thanks so much lovelymum! that's perfect. I couldn't find info on having it done on babies/young toddlers.

thanks again! :hugs:

[missie_mack]

The allergist DS sees (who specialises in children) does them from 6 months and uses a patch test on the little ones...

[KaM]

There are patch tests . . prick tests . . even some by blood test . .

[jag5000]

thanks :)

where would I go to have these done? do I need a referral? I asked my GP yesterday but he fought me on it ("I would never get an allergy test on a small child" he says while laughing! grrrr) .. and after fighting him for 20 mins to sign a CO form I couldn't fight anymore and gave up :(

[Benji]

thanks :)

where would I go to have these done? do I need a referral? I asked my GP yesterday but he fought me on it ("I would never get an allergy test on a small child" he says while laughing! grrrr) .. and after fighting him for 20 mins to sign a CO form I couldn't fight anymore and gave up :(

I had to take DS to the allergy clinic at the children's hospital in Adelaide (have been on waiting list for 2 yrs + and he has had several reactions). I hope the system is better where you are!

I'd try your children's hospital :) I'm fairly certain, from memory, that I did get a referral from a GP then went for an appt at the allergy clinic.

[gizmoduckus]

My niece had it done at 6 months but I don't know how they did it.

Someone has told me you can do it privately with a hair sample but I guess you would only do that if you are really desperate.

[reAllytee]

Hair sample testing isnt really recognised by many doctors or should that be allergy specialists.

You have as the other have said patch tests, skin pricks & blood tests.

Most areas have an allergy clinic located at one of the hospitals but obviously being that our health system is a mess that isnt always the case :rolleyes: There are private facilities that do so much make sure it isnt a 'dodgey' operator that promises to cure you with a 'program' you spend hundreds on iykwim !

Most testing done falls under Medicare but some doesnt & can leave you out of pocket a bit ! I know for us with one of G's blood tests it was free for the first 5 allergens they tested for & then I think it was $2 for everyone thereafter ... I cant remember now because its been a few months since the last one & we always only do the 5 iykwim.

They can be done from 6mths but they arent necessarily 'true' because a childs system is still immature so they can grow out of it.

Obviously when its a serious reaction its something that needs to be watched & monitored but under 12mths they tend to leave it & have the child avoid the offending foods & then re-test or re-challenge again depending on the childs reaction the first time, severity etc.

Most tests are done around the 2yr mark to be 'true' cause this tends to be the age that the body matures enough iykwim ... That being said there are many kids who dont outgrow their issues until 3 or 4yrs & then those who never do !

Hope that makes sense :o

[jag5000]

thanks Ally.. that's wonderful info

do you think tests at 12 months is 'do-able'? do you think my GP is right not to give me a referral? (well, obviously not the laughing at me bit :rolleyes:) .. I would have thought that with a referral I could get into one that is A, legit B, possibly a little cheaper and C, be easier to get into somewhere. Without a referral I honestly have no idea where to start?! F has issues with ezcema mainly.. but I'm also starting a big lifestyle change around my household and would like to have some insight to IF he has any allergies.

Is there any reason I can't request to have it done? Is in in any way dangerous or best avoided? (of course not including any major anaphlaxis (sp?) - which I highly doubt he has anyway)

not sure if I'm even making any sense! *sigh* I just don't know where to start!

[reAllytee]

thanks Ally.. that's wonderful info

do you think tests at 12 months is 'do-able'? do you think my GP is right not to give me a referral? (well, obviously not the laughing at me bit :rolleyes:) .. I would have thought that with a referral I could get into one that is A, legit B, possibly a little cheaper and C, be easier to get into somewhere. Without a referral I honestly have no idea where to start?! F has issues with ezcema mainly.. but I'm also starting a big lifestyle change around my household and would like to have some insight to IF he has any allergies.

Is there any reason I can't request to have it done? Is in in any way dangerous or best avoided? (of course not including any major anaphlaxis (sp?) - which I highly doubt he has anyway)

not sure if I'm even making any sense! *sigh* I just don't know where to start!

He laughed at you ?!?!?!?! WTF :eek::shame:

All he had to do was take blood for a blood test ... This is VERY possible at 12mths ... G did :yes:

This will help give an insight whether his blood reacts more than normal ... Again yes he can grow out of it but its a sign iykwim ! Whilst he may come back clear for the items you test they can also tell whether the blood is reactive iykwim.

And yes its not that bluddy hard to send him for a referral to an allergy clinic ... Thing is the waiting lists are HUGE so having him referred now is perfect as he will be older when he gets in which will give a 'truer' reaction iykwim !

Some doctors & people on here I have noticed :cool: Dont see links with ezcema & reactions to food ... Flynn doesnt even have to be allergic he could be intolerant & thats more than enough to flare the ezcema up.

You can tell within 2hrs if G has had something thats going to affect him. He gets ezcema over his cheeks.

Yes sometimes it isnt anything within your environment or food but more often than not it is ! It could be something like grass or dust which is bluddy hard to avoid but it means you can at least try iykwim so that its not so bad.

I swear some doctors need to re-assess their profession :thumbsdown:

[jag5000]

thanks for your support Ally :hugs: it means a lot.

I'm so sick of fighting the medical profession. Something I know you know alllll about!

I'm going to go back next week and demand a test.. I really want a skin prick test done.. but I will happily have bloods done. I will NOT take no for an answer or be fobbed off! I'll happily go to a private clinic but I want some insight into which ones are legit.

seriously, thanks. That has helped like you wouldn't believe :)

You're so right about some doctors :( .. this guy told me that Flynn's eczema wasn't that bad :rolleyes:... he didn't even examine him! he could see his face and hands and besides that he was covered in his clothes!! his reasoning? his son's apparently did have bad eczema!?! huh? what has that got to do with my son?? GAH!

[youngmumof3wa]

we had blood tests done at PMH in WA just in the emergency department, I just turned up there with my daughter and wouldn't leave till they took the blood. She was 9 months old and was not gaining weight and was losing weight about 160grams a week.

Had the results in 3 days and changed her diet and 3 days later she was a totally different child.

If you can't get the testing done by a "doctor" consider seeing a natropath (sp) that works with children. This is what we did to get other allergy diagnosed later on. Then confirmed them with a blood test later, when we got the appointment to the allergy speclist.

HTH

[reAllytee]

Aaaah yes fighting the medical system ... Tis wonderful !

Yep it isnt hard for him to refer you for either bloods or skin prick testing ... Its a great start because if all comes back clear then great but if it comes back with just one thing then thats something that can help relieve a little ones pain ... I dont get this idea that its nothing to worry about in a baby yet as adults we medicate for it iykwim ! Its the same with so many things like if we are cranky with a toothache we will use something to relieve it so why not for our babies !

Ezcema doesnt have to be 'severe' to be bluddy uncomfortable ... Gosh I had it through stress in high school on my legs & OMG it was awful !

I am really tired of doctors treating mothers like we overreact for the fun of it !

[sandy81]

Hi

I asked our GP about allergy testing for my DS and he said to wait until he is 18mts as before that their immune sytem isnt pperly estabished and resuts can be incorrect including ones that say he isnt alergic when he really is.

Of course his allergies just show up as ecxma and a rash around his mouth. If they were anyhing more I would have had him tested straight away then re done at 18 months to be safe.

[Poppetfish]

I had to take DS to the allergy clinic at the children's hospital in Adelaide (have been on waiting list for 2 yrs + and he has had several reactions). I hope the system is better where you are!

I'd try your children's hospital :) I'm fairly certain, from memory, that I did get a referral from a GP then went for an appt at the allergy clinic.

We see sasha there every month. But then again my DS has Anaphylaxis. It did take us 2 months to get in to see him tough and that was when he was 4 months old.

Because of my DS's allergies, they did a skin prick and blood test on DD before they even gave her formula when she was 7 weeks prem.

It really does depend on if the reactions are life threatening or not. My son can die within 15 mins if he even touches someone else who has eaten sesame.

Good luck.