So Allergy tests don't work?

[radhak]

My daughter has shown symptoms (to me) of allergy for long. The current one is that she has 'bite marks' all over her body, even scalp, since this weekend. Itch a lot, and don't seem to have any pattern (as in, don't look like measles, chicken-pox or even bed-bug bites). The doc took a look this morning and prescribed some Benadryl after ruling out all the other possibilities.

But when asked about an allergy test, he says they are not going to be useful in this case.

Unfortunately, LOML was there, and she herself does not believe allergy tests work (for whatever reason), so she did not ask further questions. I would have wanted to know what made this case special, or even, what special cases do the tests work? I have known friends who had kids undergo a full test (where they mark up the arm or back and prick with different allergens) and many times were grateful for the results that showed stuff they may not have caught otherwise.

It is tough for anybody to think back 4 days and try and identify what food they ate (or clothing they wore) to identify the allergy, let alone a child of 11. So what is the way to prevent this in the future?

If it helps, she has had recurring episodes of severe Eczema, and has always found cotton to be the only material her skin can tolerate.

[MilDoc]

What makes this case "special" is that your daughter (from your description) has classic hives. Allergy tests for hives are pretty much worthless. In kids, some cases of hives may be due to a viral infection, or in most cases will not have a diagnosable cause. BTW, hives that last 4 days are (IMHO) never due to foods. And are never (extremely rarely) due to new detergent, soap, clothes, etc. That's a common "old wives' tale."

For inhalant allergies and others (not most foods), allergy skin tests are very reliable. But, as I tell parents, it's not worth doing unless you are willing to undergo desensitization therapy (ie, weekly allergy shots). After all, if you get tested and find out you're allergic to the grass in your area, so what? Unless you're willing to move.

Chronic hives, defined as lasting > 3 weeks, are a different thing altogether. Then a complete workup for other causes is indicated (but not allergies).

Will your daughter ever have hives again? Possibly but not likely. I have had kids get recurrent (not chronic) hives several times before they disappeared but that's unusual.

[radhak]

Paul, that was very helpful, thanks!

She did have fever the same time, and is home today because of the fever/hives. So maybe that is connected?

[natausch]

http://health.howstuffworks.com/dise...ergy-tests.htm

Two reasons why the Doctor may be reluctant. First is that she suffers from Eczema; so the reaction to a specific allergin may be widespread and invalidate the grid.

Second is that she may already be on other medications (for Eczema) that would invalidate the test.

A food log would be the best method to help out on the side of your household. It is still hit or miss, but it will help the Doctor identify potential allergies by looking at it when/if she has another set of hives.

If it becomes severe I imagine your doctor will move to the blood test, but if you google those, RAST is not always effective, can be expensive (hard to justify if in a HMO situation) and may require a very strict diet for a period of time before the test.

[MilDoc]

Paul, that was very helpful, thanks!

She did have fever the same time, and is home today because of the fever/hives. So maybe that is connected?

Fever + hives? Yep, probably viral cause. Should clear in a week or so.

BTW, Caladryl Lotion is great for itching. Has calmine + pramoxine, a skin analgesic.

[pelligrini]

I'd find another doctor, an allergist.

When I was young I suffered from severe allergies. They've lightened up some, but I'm still cursed. Luckily, I'm not allergic to any foods, but many pollens and molds will really tear me up still.

My folks took me to an allergist. I went through a series of shot tests with the first doctor. 30 or so shots in each arm. I hated seeing those treys of stainless syringes. After the tests, there were bi-weekly injections for treatment.

After a year or so we went to another allergist, and came to find that the first was wasn't treating me for some things he should have been. He didn't even test or treat for some of the things that I was most allergic to. The second doctor's treatments seemed to work a lot better. The first doctor later got a regular spot on a local newscast. My folks always referred to him as Dr. Bob Quack every time he came on, his last name wasn't really quack.

The tests the second guy did were much easier, he did a couple series of scratch tests on my back. It was much better then the shots, labeled with a ball point. Going back to school after the shot tests wasn't very fun. 'hey, what are those numbers {poke}?' "Owww, cut it out man"
Getting them pretty much sucked too.

Just because someone has their credentials, doesn't mean they know what they are doing.

[JoeyGee]

It does sound like you got your question answered, and thankfully it does not sound like allergies.

I will relate my story, though. My son (who is now 9) has had several bouts of various breathing issues, with several late, late night ER visits and numerous breathing treatments.

We suspected there were allergy issues, but the perdiatrician insisted they weren't. He is a very good doctor (still feel that way) but we got fed up with recurring issues that should have gone away, according to the doc.

Anyway we (actually LOML) insisted he get checked by an allergist. He did, and he has quite a few allergies, and the allergist couldn't believe we waited as long as we did. Now he is going through the biweekly injection treaments.

The moral of my story is, that sometimes you have to overrule a doctor--NO offense to any doctor here. Like I said, I still really like the pediatrician, and we still go to him, but on this he was wrong, and I'm glad LOML finally stopped listening to me to trust the doc completely.