Allergy Testing - Chicago, IL

We had to do this to my 2 year old. It wasn't easy, but not awful either. My only concern would be that the numbing cream might interfere with the test results?

Hopefully he won't be allergic to the numbing lotion. His back needs to be clean of any product for true results I think mommy.

Hi B.,

My son had the scratch test done at 10 months old to determine what we now know to be his multiple food and seasonal allergies. He has had it done yearly since then, for a total of three tests. He has had the blood test also. I've never used a numbing cream on him. The way they did it with us was to have me hold him and sit on the table. I held him and had his back to them without his shirt on. It was just like we were hugging. That seemed very comforting to him. He really didn't fuss too much during the sticks (no more than the few minutes of fussing/crying during a regular shot--he did hold very still). My mom also was in the room and helped to distract/rub his head. He was just fine afterwards. I hope it goes well for you. Just try not to act like it's a big deal beforehand and get him anxious. That's why I try to do, and then it's done and over with.

Good luck with the testing.

Kim

Hi B.,

I have had both of my children tested at young ages and I didn't use any numbing cream. My daughter was 1st tested a 6mths old as reached badly to 1st foods and then again a 2yrs old plus my son was tested last year and he was 3 yrs old.

Because your child is old enough to talk to and explain what is going to happen, just tell him that it is like have a little pinch. I explained it to my son (3) that it was going to feel like a little ouch and that it would be over and with every scratch test he went ouch and that was it. I would say just have something to entertain him with on his stomach for about 15 to 20 minutes as that is how long the waiting time is, also just explain to him that he might get a little itche but not to scratch.

I hope that this is helpful to you. I think the hardest thing is, if you do react as it gets very itche (I know from personal experience)and its hard not to scratch.
A.

You have some great responses so I will be short. Bring a lovey or something he loves to hold on to. This was a special security blanket my daughter sleeps with and I think that really helped! She got the first round of scratches on her back and what did not react she did another poke in her arm which was a little more uncomfortable. The nurse told me it's like taking a pen that is not popped up and then popping it up while on their arm. We tried that on her to prep her which was very helpful. We also brought a bag of things to keep her busy and a special treat she doesn't normally get, fruit snacks. It's not as bad as I was really thinking. Good luck!

I have brought my 1 yr old in 2 times now for allergy testing (and he's due for a 3rd real soon) and each time they've done the scratch tests. They did it to me before doing it to him to show me how it feels and really it doesn't hurt. It's uncomfortable I'm sure but the worst part of it is waiting. You cannot touch their back for 20 minutes, and if he doesn't have a reaction to one it causes an itchy bump so you can't let him touch it. The nurse told me that they hate it more then anything because of being restrained and I think that's true.

My son was 4 when we did the scratch test. They may not be doing the entire range of scratches, depending on how close to 3 your son is. 3 is the age that seasonal allergies are supposed to start showing up. They may only be testing for household, pet, and food allergies.

One trick we used was that we had my husband tested at the same time. My son watched my husband have the scratch test and then it was his turn. I was there and each of them (husband and son) received a "treat" from me after they had done all the scratches and I had snacks for when they were fully done and the doctor had lollipops and stickers for him too. I don't believe we used any numbing cream.

We did the full range of tests on him (including seasonal allergens) and he was a trooper. I've had the test as well, so I know how it can feel and by the end of he was flinching a little and his eyes were tearing up, but he managed to get through it. If you keep your son on your lap, facing you and snuggled into your chest, and talk him gently through it he should be okay. Remember to give him other sensations to feel throughout - stroke his hair or face or rub circles on his hand with your fingers - to try and distract him from the discomfort of the scratches. And have something ready at the end of the scratching part to distract him away completely while the allergens are showing up (it takes a few minutes before they can read the test and it seems like forever when you're waiting and it feels itchier and itchier). Then reward him after it's done.

I know my son didn't like having the test, but he was amazingly tolerant and has continued to surprise me with how well he usually does the allergy shots he has to have to try and treat the allergies so he can be free of them.

Good luck to you!

I recently had to go through this testing with my son who is 5. We did not use any type of numbing cream or pain reliever and he did pretty well although it was clearly uncomfortable for him. Also, my son is 5 and it was much easier to talk him through why he needed to do this and to be brave etc. If your son is only two, I think this will be pretty hard on him--you might want to use a numbing cream or at least some tylenol before.

My son had testing at a very young age and was fine. Besides, you don't know how if he will have a reaction to the numbing cream.

Hi B., did you know there are non-evasive way to test for food sensitivities? I used something called Interol when my kids were younger. Many alternative doctors and chiropractor use this. It may be something to check out.

Good Luck, Cathi

Hi B.,

I can sympathize with you having to take your 2 year old to the allergist for testing. We took our four year old when she was 2 1/2 and recently took our 14 month old. The 14 month old faired much better during the tests and didn't even mind the scratch test. I would be careful about putting any numbing cream on his back because you don't know how he will react to the lidocaine/benzocaine in the numbing cream (I am a periodontist, so I am pretty comfortable talking about local anesthetics). Also, there have been reports about people using numbing cream prior to cosmetic procedures (i.e. laser hair removal) and getting overdosed due to the large area that needs to be covered. Also, if you put the cream on him prior to the appointment, but by the time that you get to the testing, the effects may have worn off. They will also wipe his back with an alcohol wipe prior to the scratch test to remove anything that might interfere with seeing an actual reaction to what they are testing. My advice would be not to take the risk with your little angel bu using a numbing cream. Just bring him to the appointment and give him lots of love and reassurance. They will most likely allow you to hold him while they are administering the test. Bring lots of toys for him to play with while he waits (you have to let the scratch test sit for about 15 minutes before they read it) and maybe some of his favorite snacks. Our allergist even has a VCR/DVD player in the room with a ton of videos for the kids to watch. Best of luck to you, I know how hard it is to watch your baby go through allergy testing. You are definitely doing the best thing for him by having him tested to avoid any more severe allergic reactions. Hang in there!

Hi B.,

My 2 year old son just had the scratch test on his back a couple of weeks ago. He did fairly well. It itched him, but I kept him busy with what I could so he didn't want to itch his back. Make sure you bring something such as a small toy to distract him. It took approximately 15 minutes, then they read the results. So I think your son will do okay with it. My son hates anything on his body that is different, tags, tight pants etc...

Good Luck, He'll be fine!!
Jackie

I think it'll depend on the allergist and on your son's attitude. My daughter went through it just fine at 2. They were very caring and tried to distract her with a movie. She was allowed to sit on my lap. However, when my son was 2, they were a little more gruff and made him lay on a table on his stomach for 15 minutes. Yeah, that didn't go over well. My suggestions are if your kid likes TV (even if you'd normally object), use it this time and try to get the nurse to let your child stay on your lap. Good luck!

I would nto use the numbign cream only because your son could react to that and not ahve accurate results. there are many things in there. just distract him with movies and buy him a new toy he can have for being so brave afterwards etc.
who is your allergist? We love ours, it sucks but good luck, he will do great!
J.

Both my daughters had allergy testing done over the summer and they are 3. It was done on their back and they cried when the test was first applied to their backs but after a minute or so they were just fine. It doesn't really hurt, they children cry because they don't know what to expect. But it's good to know what caused the allergic reaction to your child. In my case my girls were not allergic to anything. Thankful for that.

Hi B.! To make you feel a bit better, my 2 year old was just at an allergist about 2 weeks ago because we were concerned of a peanut allergy. My son HATES doctors and freaks out everytime he goes to one so this should help. It was n o different but no worse. The scratch test wasn't as bad as i expected. I held him so his back was exposed. They put drops of the allergens on his back and then did a tiny scratch on each of them. That was the hardest part to hold him still for but after that, he didn't even notice they were there. THey had a room we sat in where they put in Thomas the Train for the 20 minute swe had to wait. Honestly, i was expecting a lot worse. I don't think the numbing cream is necessary. That's what our appt was like. No worse than any other doc appt. Hope this helps a bit!

Don't worry about the test. Your son will do fine, and you won't need any numbing cream. In fact, I wouldn't recommend doing anything like that without asking the doctor who is doing the test.

My son had the test. He was two at the time, with severe sensory issues due to his autism. My son acts like the world is coming to an end over a bug bite. If it would be hard on anyone, it would be hardest on him. But he only complained a moment about the test-it was over in a flash and he was fine as soon as it was done. Are you going to a pediatric allergist? They test several things at once, so it's not like he has to keep being hurt or that it's prolonged. Once and you're done. Lickety split and it's over. (Trust me, I've had more trouble getting my son a haircut than I did the allergy test, LOL!)

We were so glad we did it. He tested positive to things he was exposed to, or ingested, often. Also, his allergies caused asthma-like symptoms, so we believed he had asthma like his daddy, but the asthma disappeared the day we found out what he was allergic to, since we now know to avoid these things. No more allergic symptoms, no more asthma, and life is much easier.

Good luck!

Dr. Barb Griffin in Orland Park has a practice that is non-invasive testing... she leans toward more holistic testing but it is well worth it. I was tested and my son who was three at the time. She is able to test for everything instead of one specific source of allergy at a time. She is booked usually months in advance but I know of three people who were able to get in quicker. ###-###-#### or vitalhealth.org
good luck!

we just did this last week with a 1, 3, and 4 yr old. They all did fine with the scratch test...if they need to do the injection test..they squirt the allergen under the skin...then I would use the cream, it hurts....good luck!

I would NOT use a numbing cream prior to the appt. My entire family has severe allergies. This could effect the way the test results come out and you might have to be retested. Why do that?!?!?!?

My kids cried, but the doctor was wonderful and talked soothingly - she was an old pro - absolutely fantastic. So we worked through it. I WOULD suggest you bring your husband with and have him help hold your little guy down while they are going through the procedure. You can sit right next to his little face so he can see you and know everything is okay.

Really - it's not that bad - you will get through.

Best of luck,

S.

I just had my son tested in May, now granted, he is 10, but I wouldn't think it would be much different. They have a 10 pronged thing (very small really) and all it does is scratch the top surface of the skin to expose to the suspected allergen. (almost like the old
TB tests they use to do) They did 40 on my son, and he said it was uncomfortable, but the equavalent of being bitten by a mosquito. Nothing horrible, I would think the reaction would be worse than the actual procedure.

good luck to you!

my son(5) had this done earlier this year. may i believe. i had go back 3 different times for the tests ( the 3rd was a higher dose in his arm because of the results of the food allergies), and once for the results. first was the airborn and then the foods. the dr. told that this test is NOT 100% accurate because if the child is allergic to a certain pollen or plant than the test could show a positive for a food. that was the case for my son. his test came back that he was super allergic to so many food but i laughed because he eats most of the foods weekly with no problems. as far as the discomfort went for him he actually freaked himself out. "i know this is going to hurt!" after the intial prick he was just fine, a bit ichy but fine. after they took the results they wiped off the marker grid along with most of the allergens and most of the bumps were gone too. each child is different and so are parents. it is always hard to stay calm when we see our kids hurting but we can actually make it worse. the calmer you stay the calmer the child will too. good luck with whatever you choose

When my daughter was that age, she had it to. They did the skin pricks where the injected a little. They had me sit in a big chair and hold her facing me. Then they drew a grid on her back. An injection went into each one. Because some of them were so bad, they had to redo some of the injections lower on her back to decipher which she was allergic to. She cried quite a bit and they gave benadryl there. She did cry quite a bit during this and had to have been uncomfortable with the hives. That was hard on me...

this year, she had to have some more testing done. While we were doing it, I had them redo some of the ones from before. This time (she is 8 now) they were able to test on her arm. The hardest part for her now was that she is old enough to want to itch the hives.