Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Skin Prick Food Allergy Tests - Large Flare But No Wheal?


greenbeanie

Recommended Posts

greenbeanie Enthusiast

Does anyone know if it's meaningful to get large flares but no (or little) wheals on skin prick food allergy tests? Before all this business with celiac testing, I had allergy testing done. I've had many environmental allergies since I was a kid (to pollens, dust, animals), and those skin prick tests gave me clear results. But my food tests were strange. For a bunch of them, I had large flares (22mm or more) but with either no wheals or wheals smaller than the histamine reference prick. The allergist ran IgE blood tests on a handful of these to try to get clearer about what was going on, and the blood tests were all negative. She concluded that I don't have any food allergies.

For other foods, and for the saline control prick, I got no wheals or flares, so it's not just that my skin is over-reactive in general. And I really can't draw any reliable conclusions from how I feel after eating, since I pretty much always feel sick. Maybe once I've been gluten-free for longer my reaction to the other foods will be clearer, but for now I don't want to cut out a whole bunch of other foods if it's not really necessary. The ones that gave me the big flares are all very common things (celery, carrot, apple, potato, orange, onion), and avoiding them all plus gluten would be quite restrictive. I did not react at all to other nightshades or to other things in the same families (like garlic or tomato), which makes it even more puzzling.

Has anyone else had weird allergy test results like this and figured out what it means? My allergist was not helpful - she just said to avoid whatever foods I feel bad eating (but again, I really can't tell right now). My endoscopy showed visible redness in my stomach, and biopsies of my esophagus showed inflammation. I have not seen the actual pathology report or had my follow-up appointment with the GI yet, but I think my intestinal biopsies didn't show clear signs of celiac or someone would have told me that by now. Gluten is obviously a huge problem for me, whether it's celiac or not, but I just can't tell whether it's the root of all the problems.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



kareng Grand Master

From what I have heard around here, those skin tests aren't very accurate for food allergies.

 

Open Original Shared Link

shadowicewolf Proficient

From what I have heard around here, those skin tests aren't very accurate for food allergies.

 

Open Original Shared Link

Only if used by themselves. If you get a hive and have symptoms otherwise, then, to my understanding, you are allergic to whatever item it is.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,330
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    TamSta214
    Newest Member
    TamSta214
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      It occurs to me that this might be a good application for gluten test kits, since the test kits seem to require samples in power form and pills can easily be rendered in that form. According to this article, and it seems to be current, there are three choices when it comes to gluten test kits: https://www.verywellhealth.com/gluten-detectors-and-test-kits-comparing-the-options-4126736 While it is not an inexpensive solution, at least it shouldn't be necessary to use very often once you establish a med either is safe or not.
    • maryannlove
      Same problem in Pittsburgh.  Have Hashimato's so been taking Mylan (generic) levothyroxine for many years.  Pharmicist tried to routinely order yesterday and called to tell me it's unavailable.  That I could try to find elsewhere and have script forwarded to them.  Just spent couple of hours online researching.  What a pain for so many of us!  Using http://glutenfreedrugs.com/newlist.htm (which know is old and doubt updated) reminded me that long ago I used to take Sandoz brand.  Just went on their website and appears they no longer make (maybe why switched to Mylan).  Back to square one.  Using chart from glutenfreedrugs.com says for manufacturers I'll list afterwards "Manufacturer doesn't knowingly add gluten, however since they don't do any final testing they won't guarantee it to be gluten-free but it is very unlikely that it is contaminated with gluten."  Might be best I/we can do.  Along with Mylan, those manufacturers on chart are: Lannett (per website still make) and Neopharma (didn't find on their website).  Paloma Health's website says CERTIFIED gluten free are:  Lannet brand of levothyroxine, Nature-Thyroid, Tirosint (expensive), WP Thyroid.  Other thyroid meds that are gluten-free but not certified:  Levoxyl, Synthroid, Euthyrax, Mylan Brand (wish could get), and Armor with a caution contains sodium starch glycate which may contain gluten.  I'll submit Lannett to pharmacist.  If successfull, will share.  
    • somethinglikeolivia
      Responding to both of your replies: thank you so much!! That makes a lot of sense and helps me feel better about it - I really appreciate the clarification and recommendations. You guys have been very helpful and this site is a gift. Thanks again! 
    • trents
      I think giving attention to the main sources of exposure such as direct consumption of gluten and gross cross contamination with reasonable attention to handwashing and thorough counter top cleaning and dishwashing should cover cross contamination issues. The biggest precautions would be eating in restaurants and at other's homes. Don't get paranoia over it and don't make trouble where there is none. As far a what you communicate with your physicians, just tell them what you know. Strongly positive antibody tests, negative biopsy, positive symptoms when consuming gluten with clearing of symptoms when gluten free.  
    • trents
      Occasionally we do see anomalies where celiac antibody tests are positive but biopsies are negative, and even visa versa. Sometimes, damage to the small bowel lining is patchy and unless numerous samples are taken from various areas, the damage can be missed. So, there's that issue as well. I think in your situation, the tell-tale indicator is the difference in symptoms between when you were off gluten and when you were consuming it.   
×
×
  • Create New...