Guidance with allergy testing

[chase23]

My daughter registered for elevated IgE, so I guess i need to pursue allergy testing? I am clueless about this. I don't see any obvious allergies and i suspect we can't test for everything. is there a good starting ground on this?

[Kiera]

The RAST test is a comprehensive blood test that tests for all the main allergens (I think you have to add on cat and dog if you suspect them). Skin tests can also be done by applying a whole host of stuff on the skin. My ds had both done. Dr says they're equally accurate. The skin isn't painful, just very itchy, especially if there's a lot of positives. The problem comes with interpreting the results! My ds showed he's allergic to just about everything, +4s (range 1-4) yet he's never had an anaphylactic reaction to anything, even peanuts, which is one of his allergies! He still eats everything, as there'd be nothing left to give him, so what does this all mean? Dr didn't really have a good explanation for it, it seems it's only helpful if your child actually had an anaphylactic rection and you're trying to determine what the causitive food is. I think it may be helpful if only one or two things show up, you could then eliminate these and see if it helps with any of the symptoms the child may have. As for my ds - I just think it's further confirmation of a screwed up immune system, over-reacting to everything, hence an autoimmune disorder - PANDAS, just my two cents!

[peglem]

My daughter registered for elevated IgE, so I guess i need to pursue allergy testing? I am clueless about this. I don't see any obvious allergies and i suspect we can't test for everything. is there a good starting ground on this?

Be aware that elevated IgE can also be a sign of parasitic infection.

Edited January 16, 2012 by peglem