Talk to me about allergy testing

[AKislandgirl]

Can someone tell me how this is done and what the process is? I think that we need to do this for DD.

DD has had a rash on her face for months. We tried treating it as a bacterial infection: nope, fungal: nope, eliminating dairy: nope, but constipation issues went away, eliminating peanut: nope, eliminating wheat... dramatic improvement though not completely gone! Well since eliminating wheat we have pretty much been gluten free because wheat free breads and pastas that we have used have been gluten free. I'm not sure how we know which is causing the reaction and if she is allergic to other things as well. She is also very tiny for her age... not on the growth chart although she is gaining on her own curve.

Any advise would be appreciated!

[kjbrown92]

You're probably not going to like what I tell you, but allergists aren't always the most helpful. For one, allergy tests aren't that accurate under 2 years old. For two, rash and constipation could be allergy or intolerance, and if it's an intolerance, then allergy testing won't help. And allergists, for the most part don't "believe in" food intolerances.

If the rash hasn't gone away at all, then either more than 1 thing is causing it (if you're only taking out one food at a time, then putting it back in and taking out another) or it's a common food that you haven't tried eliminating yet (top 4 food intolerances are dairy, gluten, soy, corn, but ANY food can cause any symptom).

If the rash waxes and wanes, or there are other issues like sleep, constipating, mood, etc. then a food journal could help.

And I'm not saying don't see an allergist, because I took my kids to one, basically to rule out allergies. So I wasn't looking at it as an "answer".

[AKislandgirl]

Thank you for your reply. It is helpful because seeing an allergist for us requires flying to Anchorage, a hotel stay, eating out... not an easy or cheep Dr visit. For now I'm going to see how she does staying off of gluten. She has improved a lot and while the rash is not 100% gone I want to give this more time. She's been wheat free for 2.5 weeks and I haven't been very strict with it for myself (she's nursing still). If its still there in another 2 weeks with both of us 100% wheat free I will take dairy out again for both of us. (In addition to the wheat).

Can you explain what the difference is between an allergy and an intolerance?

TIA

[kjbrown92]

An allergy is an IgE immune response. An intolerance is a different mechanism (some call it an IgG response, but the jury is still out), others call it a non-IgE allergy. Not sure what kind of rash you're having but eczema can be from environmental allergies, food allergies, or food intolerances. There is an overlap in symptoms, too, so it's not always easy to figure out. Both can cause eczema, both can cause vomiting, both can cause diarrhea. Then there's celiac disease (which is an auto-immune disorder) where your body can't tolerate gluten. Not sure what website describes it all best.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by AKislandgirl

Thank you for your reply. It is helpful because seeing an allergist for us requires flying to Anchorage, a hotel stay, eating out... not an easy or cheep Dr visit. For now I'm going to see how she does staying off of gluten. She has improved a lot and while the rash is not 100% gone I want to give this more time. She's been wheat free for 2.5 weeks and I haven't been very strict with it for myself (she's nursing still). If its still there in another 2 weeks with both of us 100% wheat free I will take dairy out again for both of us. (In addition to the wheat).

Can you explain what the difference is between an allergy and an intolerance?

TIA

Just wanted to throw this out there but if you are going gluten free - make sure you are eliminating all gluten containing grains not just wheat. Others grains to avoid are oats (unless certified GF), rye, barley, spelt, tricticale and kamut. Lots of prepared foods have hidden gluten in them too.

[mtn.mama]

Hey, can I suggest that if you're contemplating flying to Southcentral for testing... that instead of going to the Allergy and Asthma clinic in Anchorage, you make an appointment with Dr. Ty Vincent at Mat-Su Integrative Medicine? IMO, western allergy testing isn't that effective, but Dr. Ty heals people with his approach and has excellent success with little ones. I don't get on here very much at all anymore, so please PM me if you want more info.

[franklin907]

Hi
I just came across your post, how's your daughter doing the last couple weeks since gluten-free? My son has severe eczema and lots of allergies and intolerances, but I wanted to ask if you were in Kodiak? We live here and I wanted to echo want mtn.mama said about Dr. Ty Vincent. We fly over to Anchorage every couple of months and go see him in Wasilla, for LDA shots. If you're considering going to see Dr. Demain, I would encourage you to see Dr. Ty first (you'd probably be able to get in sooner, too). We have lots of experience with both. Check out my blog if you'd like and pm me if you want more info on either doc. Good luck!

Breanna

[Arduinna]

I found allergy testing, for myself to be helpful because I knew what to try to avoid if possible. I did the skin test with a board certified allergist not a GP. I know nothing about DXing allergies in young children. Since it's so far away, I'd call and talk to either the allergist or his nurse and get their recommendation.

[AKislandgirl]

Thanks for the replies everyone. We are doing pretty good. Since going gluten free DD's skin has improved a lot. I would say its 90% better. She still has a bit of a rash that seems to be hanging on but she hasn't flared up at all. It's more like it hasn't completely healed. I do feel so relieved!

We still haven't figured out if we'll be doing testing or not at this point. But these are the questions that remain for me. We have a well baby visit at the end of the month. Breanna, I'm going to PM you with some info about Dr Ty too! Thanks!

-How do we know if its an allergy/intolerance vs Celiacs? And won't she need to be back on gluten to be tested and for how long?
-How do I know if its just Gluten? Are other foods playing a role here? Is that why her skin isn't 100% better. Or is she just going to have a bit of eczema even though we are off of these foods?
- Will having her off of the gluten help with her weight gain?

Breanna, I am in Kodiak! I just looked at your blog and realized that I know who you are although I don't actually know you! I guess that is how Kodiak is. I used to work at the Refuge and remember you bringing your son in frequently and now I sometimes bring the boy I babysit (and my young DD) to the FUN program and have seen you there with your kids. I definitely would like to pick pick your brain a bit on this. Thanks for replying here!