Allergy tests

[HELPihavea2yrold!]

When can you get children tested for allergies? I am highly allergic to all nuts (carry epi-pen) and want to get my DS (10 months) tested. I did develop my allergy later in life though. Wondering if I should completely keep DS away from any traces of nuts or if hes less likely to develop allergy if he has small bits occasionally. Obviously hes a bit young right now to have whole nuts but in the future. This does really worry me because we live 1 1/2 hrs from the nearest hospital.

[kiwichuck]

We had DS2 tested at 5 months old due to DS1 having severe and multiple food allergies.

Much better to know hey. Good luck :fingerscrossed:

[MrsTiggyWinkle]

I had dd1 tested at 10 months as DH is mid-level allergic to peanuts (not anaplylactic). I had to book her into an allergist, with about a 3 month wait. They did skin prick tests which came up negative thankfully! After we knew she was negative, the allergist said that if I started her on peanuts, I should continue it. She said that if a kid has one taste, and then nothing for a long time after that, they have more chance of becoming allergic when they eventually get a second taste.

They automatically booked her in for a 2-year follow up test which is tomorrow.

Good luck, I'd get her tested for peace of mind.

[calmstillwaters]

DS was tested with SPT at 4 mths due to extensive eczema, and because his big sis has multiple food allergies including nuts.

Thankfully, he was negative for nuts-but i am not surprised as I have been avoiding nuts. He is positive for other stuff though-altho false positives are possible, so I am not sure about the accuracy.

Nevertheless, there is no way that I am going to expose him to nuts until he is a lot bigger, and even then, perhaps in the car park of an emergency dept!

[Mahjong]

I was just about to come and post a very similar post! DS2 seems to have an intolerance to museli bars and a few other foods, would love to get him tested instead of guessing what foods is actually causing the welts and hives!!

[missie_mack]

Scratch tests aren't conclusive really. I have know those with proven anaphylaxis to have minor results and afterwards failed food challenges in hospital settings.

It should also be noted whilst your child is more prone to having allergies in general because of your allergies, its doesn't mean it would be the same allergen. If you are worried about it you can organise for an allergist to start a desensitisation program early on to assist.