Intradermal allergy testing

[dut]

Hello.

 

Sorry, this isn't PANDAS related but thought there would be some good knowledge out there...

 

I was just wondering what people thought of intradermal allergy testing, for inhalant/environmental and food allergies.

 

Thoughts on accuracy, false positives etc.

 

I'm wondering 'cos I've recently visited an integrative doctor to attempt to find out why I get ill so often and for as long, when others in my family throw illness off much quicker.

 

I've had some level of allergic rhinitis for years, along with increased nasal congestion, ear popping in the last 10 years or so.

 

I'm just surprised at the number of allergies found so far.. many molds, cat, (haven't tested pollens yet) and all foods so far tested - wheat, corn and soy. It's not beyond belief but I'm just surprised I'm not experiencing worse symptoms.

 

Up side is the allergy technician lady says lots of folk with these many allergies experience weight loss once they get treated.. so there's a silver lining in there that I could definitely benefit from

[911RN]

My older non Pandas son had it this kind of testing- he was positive for multiple allergies and had allergy shots for 5 years and he is the most well person in the house now during any allergy season. We all sneeze and snork and you don't hear a peep out of him. Whole family is allergy prone.He had constant sinus infections prior to shots and now, can't remember the last time he has been sick or to the doctor (other than yearly well check ups). He is very healthy kid now. Well worth it but you must be dedicated- have to stay on schedule for effectiveness.

[mama2alex]

Here's our experience with allergy testing, for what its worth. DS (now 13 1/2) was given a full battery of tests at age 7 1/2 after his 4th bout with pneumonia, and 2nd hospitalization for it. Stanford did blood testing for allergies and found him highly allergic to cats, slightly allergic to dogs and somewhat allergic to dustmites. Three years later, when we were considering getting a dog, we went to an allergist in private practice and he said the skin testing is more accurate. After doing the skin test, he found no dog allergy, a medium-high allergic reaction to cats and a slight allergy to dustmites. We haven't seen any problem with our dog or others, but he still seemed to react to being in a house with a cat, even for a short period of time - so it seems the skin testing was accurate in our case. Not really sure about dustmites. His only allergy symptom has always been asthma symptoms and possibly the development of pneumonia when exposed to cats.

 

Having to change your diet stinks, but glad you are finding answers to your health issues.

Edited February 6, 2014 by mama2alex

[dut]

Thanks for the responses.. I fully believe that allergies can be the reason for ill health and it makes sense that I could keep getting ill due to allergies I'm just surprised that 15 or so out of 20 inhalants (can't remember precise amounts) and all foods tested so far - wheat, corn, soy, baker's yeast, dairy and eggs have all come back positive.

 

I assumed I'd feel more ill with this many rather than just perpetually stuffy.

 

I keep reading that many allergists don't rate the intradermal test and how it can produce many false positives. What with the added need to fully buy in for elimination diet and then the long and possibly complex treatment schedule of drops and rotating foods etc... well I really need to feel confident in the process.

 

Thanks..

[cobbiemommy]

We did not have a good experience with intradermal skin testing for food allergies. There is a huge amount of false positive from skin testing for food allergies. Enzyme potentiated allergy shots and testing are also ripe with false positives. This was just our experience, but it was horrible. The doc had my son avoiding eggs, dairy, wheat, nuts, berries, chicken, etc. He was getting worse while taking the shots.

 

The prick skin test may also be used to diagnose food allergies. Intradermal tests are not used to test for food allergies because of high false-positive results and the danger of causing a severe allergic reaction. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003519.htm

 

Allergy testing should be done on the inner forearms (not the back) when the skin is clear. Also, there should have been a seven day break after taking the last dose of antihistamines. A RAST blood test is a great indicator for food allergies. I don't mean to discourage you from allergy testing, far from it, but please use the tried and true allergy testing and allergy shots. Sublingual therapy is available but not FDA approved, so there would be no insurance reimbursement. I have used allergy shots and they do make a world of difference in how the allergy sufferer feels!