theherd123 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 At long last my daughter has an appointment for her allergy tests to be done I know they will do the skin prick tests but ive also be advised to ask for the igG4 test to be done. Does anyone know what this is and how it is carried out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 I think it adds food onto the normal types of allergy - pollen, cats, etc. I only had the basic tests but all that came up was grass pollen and a bit of cat. I am certainly not allergic to cats - but I was to dogs and that didn't show up at all! But there are certainly lots of things that never came up that used to set me off in the summer. I think there were about 12 pin pricky bits on my arm but I can only remember the ones I reacted to. The other tests probably include nuts - I have a reaction to bananas and other fruit including tomatoes because they make my tongue itch! But I still eat them anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 IgG is Immunoglobin G which is the antibody associated with allergy. I think it will be a blood test and I think it may show if she has a food allergy. There again I could be completely wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margalot Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Yes I seem to remember that the Img test is the blood test, they see how many histimine thingys react in the blood. I have 2 children with severe allergies. Just got over sending my youngest on his first school residential! where he stayed away for 5 nights and was completely reliant on the teacher knowing all of his allergies and the chef making sure that any food he chose did not contain anything he would react to. Glad to say they both did an excellent job and he had a wonderful time with no uspset. the centre at Osmington Bay had around 1700 children staying at the time so to make sure his food was ok was no mean feat! I must admit I stayed awake for many a night leading up to his visit When they are out of your control it is so hard when my son was prick tested he reacted to many things, but others we have encountered by him eating them. i.e. mushrooms really made his lips swell and like the other post bananas make his mouth/ throat itchy. It is really difficult but you just learn to live with it and adapt accordingly hope all goes well for you x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 normaly it would include a blood test to look for IGe responses to common allergens, some areas still use pin prick tests Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Not sure if this is same a RAST test which I believe is a proper blood test ( other nurses please correct me if I'm wrong) the others are prick tests and then after some time nurse or dr compares the reactions if 5 and above (size) that is positive ( again I may be wrong ) ES had last yr but OH went with him. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Don't know about a RAST test but it's not my area. Hope they let you stay Emma. When my son went for the prick test the nurse used the same pricker from one area to another. Not being able to keep my trap shut I pointed out that she could be transferring allergens from one to another and I was told to wait outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 Thanks so much for all the information it's really appreciated Plum, dont worry i wont be handing Isabelle over to anyone! She's mine, all mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 We used to wipe pricker between each scratch. well done Plum - nurses are not good at keeping traps shut are they - mine is always ajar - and getting me in deep water. You want my opinion - you got it even if you didnt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Lauren was tested at the age of 5 and tested positive for a number of odd foods - soya, sesame, tomatoes, pork.......as well as the usual wheat and dairy. She has gradually outgrown them one by one and a while ago she decided to try wheat again - the last of the intolerances to cause problems. It was her choice - at the age of 11 - and she seemed to be fine with small amounts. She's now eating wheat for at least 4 weeks so that she can be re-tested. There is light at the end of the tunnel - just thought you might like to know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 sorry if i'm sounding dim but how is the prick test done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 Thanks for giving us hope. The wheat free, dairy free & citrus fruit free diet will hopefully come to an end soon as its really taking it's toll now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 sorry if i'm sounding dim but how is the prick test done When my son had it done drops were put on his arm containing the different allergens and a control which contained the base substance. Then the skin was pricked at each drop. The reaction and area of swelling around each prick indicated if there was an allergy. It was a long time ago so probably done differently now. Fancy a go I've got some rusty pins and can make up some concoctions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Not sure if this is same a RAST test which I believe is a proper blood test ( other nurses please correct me if I'm wrong) the others are prick tests and then after some time nurse or dr compares the reactions if 5 and above (size) that is positive ( again I may be wrong ) ES had last yr but OH went with him. Good luck RAST is a blood test for IGe responses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 We used to wipe pricker between each scratch. well done Plum - nurses are not good at keeping traps shut are they - mine is always ajar - and getting me in deep water. You want my opinion - you got it even if you didnt I dont know what you mean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 sorry if i'm sounding dim but how is the prick test done Fancy a go I've got some rusty pins and can make up some concoctions *rushes and hide in the corner and says* 'dont you know i've got an phobia of needles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 Well tomorrow is the big day! I'm hoping the immunologist will do his stuff and give us the miracle cure we are after If not its back to square one I'll update tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Good luck Em - I hope you soon have answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Hope the visit brings you some answers Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmommasally Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Best of luck for today, big hugs for our little giggles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Sorry to be a downer but I'm very dubious about all this stuff. I don't think cutting things out is good in the long run - I beleive that exposure builds resistance. I have no medical training but I've just seen it happen too many times to discount it - the trouble with these tests is people then go out of their way to avoid the things they are allergic too and end up with less and less resistance. I'm allergic to cats - there is one sleeping on my bed right now. My cousin is the same - if she were to stay here overnight she would need her asthma inhaler, she never uses it at home but the cats set her off. Growing up she lived with many cats - one of whom slept on her bed and did not set off her asthma - she believes she has lost her resistance. My aunt had loads of tests done and cut loads of things out which generally doesn't make her feel any better but she does feel loads worse now if she accidently has them. Funny thing with her though - it allows her to do stuff she shouldn't do. She is supposed to be dieting but is "allowed" a cake in the coffee shop because its wheat free!!!!! I know they are now doing therapies where they introduce the allergen a bit at a time. My other cousin is interested in getting some of this for her son - who has a multitude of the allergies and has to avoid so many different things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Well good luck and hope things are sorted. If it is a wheat gluten thing (coeliac), then I'm sure whether it will be able to be sorted with a bit of building up the allergen because of damage caused to the stomach. But with a lot of things Pengy is right. I saw on the news a couple of weeks ago that some tests were being done with peanut allergies and a gradual increase had been made and now the young lad can eat a Snickers bar and not worry about the consequences. But I don't think I want to sit down the end of the garden being bitten by mozzies to build up my immunity to them! My hayfever is certainly not as bad as when I was younger and is quite bearable now (eyes still need to get wise though). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 Sorry to be a downer but I'm very dubious about all this stuff. I don't think cutting things out is good in the long run - I beleive that exposure builds resistance. I have no medical training but I've just seen it happen too many times to discount it - the trouble with these tests is people then go out of their way to avoid the things they are allergic too and end up with less and less resistance. Pengy i couldnt agree more! The OH had a terrible reaction to the bears when we all first moved in together - hives and itchyness on his hands all the way to his elbows. After building up his resistance over time he now has no reaction whatsoever. Well the appointment today went well and after much discussion about her previous reactions Isabelle had the pin prick testing done to see what was what. It turns out she shows sensitivity towards dogs, grass and fish but she is allergic to wheat, milk and egg. The specialist nurse and consultant have prescribed piriton and when she hits the 8kg mark they will give her an epipen for us to deal with serious reactions. At least we now have an answer, its not the answer we wanted but we now have a starting point and a direction to move in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
