Allergy testing

[starangelk]

Anyone been through this and can tell me what to expect? We're booked into a clinic in Brisbane to have dd tested and she said on the phone ***** tests and something else....sounds awful! My dd is 18 months and has had a runny nose since February.....it's constant. Not a days break-ever. We've tried doing nothing, antibiotics, dimetapp, the works over the time. Gp thinks it's just a recurring cold but I want to be sure it's not an allergy because it started when she really started eating well (we did baby led solids.)

[~me~]

On an 18mth old it would most likely be on their back.
You will first see the Specialist and discuss symptoms and the then a nurse will do the skin ***** tests. The back to the Specialist after the nurse has finished.
My DS2 had them at a similar age, and they just put a little bit of whatever they think the allergy is on a pin and touch the skin with it and wait to to see what size the rash if any come up.
They will run quite a few in one go. Usually dairy, dust, eggs, nut and perhaps different grass seeds. It was uncomfortable for him, not particuarly painful.
You will hold onto her while they do it, your DD will probably have to take her top off or they may just lift it up to put the tests on. You you then sit and wait for a while to see what reactions come up, then the nurse will meausure the size of the rash and pass them back to the specialist who will then give you a diagnosis and plan.
You could be there for a good couple of hours, so plenty of snacks and entertainment.
Hope it all goes well.

[starangelk]

Thanks Heather! That info is so helpful. So glad to hear about the back tests. I'm a bit worried as we normally use food as the big distraction but this clinic doesn't allow foods inside.

[~me~]

The fact you can't take food is tough, I have heard of it at some places. DS2 was at private clinic that had a few different specialists, so perhaps they couldn't control the food.
If you have an Ipad or even Iphone, sounds terrible I know, it's just that sometimes these things are great distractors
I would ring and see if you can take something simple like sultana's or some sort of fruit even.
They should have enough toys to keep her distracted and hopefully with her age, they won't make you wait too long.
Hope all goes well

[starangelk]

Thanks Heather, my iPhone should be a great distraction. I might see if there are any abc kids apps like playschool or something. Maybe I can even downlOad episodes from iTunes. Good thinking!!