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Monkey-Newz OP t1_itx3dmk wrote

Reply to comment by NoPineapple6682 in How an allergy test works by Monkey-Newz

So it’s a solution in which they use a little dropper to drip the separate allergens on your skin, then they use a tiny metal spike and put just enough pressure to introduce it into your pores to see if it triggers a response from your immune system.

After the initial droplets, I waited about 15 mins and that was the result.

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NoPineapple6682 t1_itx3ug1 wrote

Interesting! What caused you to get this done? My little one gets eczema so maybe I should try this? Or it just food mainly

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Monkey-Newz OP t1_itx4etw wrote

I had suspected I had a shellfish allergy for years now (that’s Lobster, Crab and Prawn on my arm) and wanted to get it confirmed 100% once and for all.

It might be worth a go, I learnt I’m also allergic to dust mites, which are super common and not something I was really aware I could do better avoiding. Only downside is it was not cheap (about £230)…

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NoPineapple6682 t1_itx6e9r wrote

True at least you know now! Yeah I just had a look at costs and it’s about $450aud 🥲 think Medicare covers some tho. Thank for the info!

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tke494 t1_itxkj9z wrote

It doesn't work well with food. You digestion interacts too much with food for a skin test to be accurate.

I'm allergic to lots of stuff. It probably depends upon the location of the eczema, since it can have lots of other causes. I got eczema on the backs of my legs and sometimes the insides of my elbows when I was a kid. It started as a baby. But, it was consistent in when it happened. Spring, through summer. Trees pollen is a problem in spring. Grass is a problem in summer. Ragweed is a problem in fall. Winter is about mold and maybe dust. My problem is mostly trees, so I might be off about the others.

Testing doesn't always find allergies. It only finds the most common allergies, because that's what is tested for. You can also find allergies by tracking. For eczema, that would probably not be food. So, time of year, what was he in physical contact with? Contact might not be immediately apparent, like laundry detergent.

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NoPineapple6682 t1_itxoa0o wrote

Thanks for the info!

His eczema started as a baby also; he’s nearly 3 now and it’s progressively getting worse and I can’t figure out the triggers. The doctors basically just say to make sure I moisturise and no soap, which I do anyways. Did yours go away as you got older? I feel so bad for him it looks so bad sometimes. He doesn’t itch or seem bothered by it tho which is good

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BestDevilYouKnow t1_ity2sjq wrote

Eczema can be caused by food allergies. Nephew had allergy testing at age 2 and they eliminated oats, soy, and eggs - eczema cleared up. 9 years later he can hoover down anything.

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NoPineapple6682 t1_ity7ury wrote

Good to know thanks. Maybe I’ll do some more research and cut out the common allergens too see if it clears up - then reintroduce them one at a time? Wish us luck!

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tke494 t1_iu1p92f wrote

I stopped getting it in high school or college. It has come back briefly once or twice as an adult. Definitely only in the spring as an adult. I think it lasted longer as a kid.

Mine was pretty bad. It itched a lot and the backs of my legs. The backs of my legs were all scab some of the time.

As an adult, I found that baby powder helps. A particular kind of dandruff shampoo helps. I don't remember the name, but it was thicker than most shampoos. Definitely a strong shampoo.

As an adult, I was better able to eliminate foods I'm allergic to. Either I was better able to notice when I had a reaction than my parents or they didn't believe if I even thought to tell them.

The problem with tracking food allergies is that people often don't eat one food at a time. People eat a bunch of foods all mixed. Also, allergies can add up. Like, maybe they don't react to one allergen but react to three together.

I've started a list of the various things my son ate not long before he has had reactions.

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77slevin t1_itzf9pm wrote

> and sometimes the insides of my elbows

Have this since last 2 years. Never had eczema in my life. Cream from the doc clears it up after a month of treatment. Going to have to do an allergy test, I figure.

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