Taking my son to an allergist

[mama_ani]

My son has dermatological and gastrointestinal reactions to dairy/dairy products and dermatological reactions to soy so we want to know for sure what he's actually allergic to.
We just got a referral to an allergist for our son (which is not easy to do when you don't have a doctor!) and I'm wondering what will happen at the appointment.
Do they still do the "pricking" type test or is it a blood test? If it's the prick test how awful is it for the child?

[JaneS]

All tests have their drawbacks. You can have an IgE blood test done (Immunocap) and also skin pricks. Both together are supposed to be more reliable. Pricks are just the top layer of skin, not at all deep to draw blood or hurt very much. They aren't really like sewing needles, more like knitting needles. One grid does 9 allergens (I think) at a time in one quick prick on back.