Jump to content

  • 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

Allergist And Food Allergy Scratch Tests

ms-sillyak-screwed

Recommended Posts

ms-sillyak-screwed Enthusiast
ms-sillyak-screwed
Posted

--

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


dlp252 Apprentice
dlp252
Posted

I've had a skin scratch test for both environmental and food allergies...my environmental test showed MANY things, and I went on weekly allergy shots to fix that.

The food test only showed 4 mild reactions: canteloupe, white grapes, yellow squash and barley. The skin scratch test won't tell you whether or not you are intolerant, just whether you are allergic.

My newest allergist says that the testing is fairly accurate for what you are NOT allergic too, but that the "positives" are not necessarily true. So while I am not allergic to gluten (wheat, oats or rye, and only slightly to barley), I am intolerant to it.

The skin scratch test will not tell you if you are Celiac or gluten sensitive, just whether or not you are allergic...it's not the same thing. You can still be Celiac but not be allergic to it...hope that makes sense.

Hope that helps.

Susan123 Rookie
Susan123
Posted

I reacted to Wheat and Corn. My doctor told me that it is very rare to have a true wheat allergy and that you can be intolerant and not have a wheat allergy. He said the tests don't prove you are allergic just that you react to the food. He said you can also react to a food in the test but not by eating it. He said you might not recognize the symptom (ie tiredness). He has his patients slowly introduce the food back into their diet to see if they handle it in smaller amounts. Obviously if it is a life threatening allergy not to do it. I eat corn on a daily basis and don't get a response.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted
So what does everyone out here in cyberspace think of food scratch testing? Has anyone else had food allergy shots, for celiac disease?

It's fairly well known that scratch tests for food allergies are NOT very precise. They can be flat out wrong, or just give you the wrong idea of how bad the allergy is. They are used as a starting point only. I would encourage you to find out if this doctor is with the Americal Acadamy of Allergists and Immunologists. (I think that's the name.) Yes, it's western medicine, but you can often find members of these associations who are open to alternative therapies to a greater or lesser degree as well. And they won't do the crazy stuff your doctor's been doing... :-)

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

I totally agree with Tiffany. If you want food, don't do scratch testing. If you are looking for IgG food intolerances, not typical allergies, then don't do a typical IgE allergy test either.

Nantzie Collaborator
Nantzie
Posted

I've been thinking about seeing an allergist for food allergy testing, but from what you say it sounds like a major waste of money and time. To go through all of that and end up with more questions than answers sounds so aggravating.

Nancy

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted
I've been thinking about seeing an allergist for food allergy testing, but from what you say it sounds like a major waste of money and time. To go through all of that and end up with more questions than answers sounds so aggravating.

Nancy

I certainly don't mean to imply that allergists are a waste for food testing, but that scratch tests are not all that reliable. There are blood tests that allergists will run, and if those also are not conclusive, they will do challenge tests at the office. There is some stuff they can do, and if you have a serious allergy, particularly an anaphylactic one, you really do need to see an allergist. But food allergies are a tough one, and not yet well understood, on the whole.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
I've posted this in another thread and no one wrote back. My head is spinning trying to understand good and bad tests.

I started seeing an ALERGIST last year who said he treats celiac disease patients. I had a series of blood tests by a clinical lab called METAMETRIX. A huge waste of $$. I believe the tests are not accurate and after I went through all the tests the doc admitted they [are NOT reliable]. HA! Why is it when you tell the doctors you are cash pay and m-o-n-e-y is a big issue and I have a hard time buying food, let alone pay thousands for needless worthless test they stick it to ya anyway. It's all beyond me. Do the doc's not listen to what we tell them? I know they don't care!

The METAMETRIX test did not show I have a problem with WHEAT, DAIRY, OATS, PORK, ORANGES, or the other things I know I can't eat. Why? Why? The thing the test [did show] was that I'm high on the response to SOYBEANS. So I spent all that money for what?

I told him I can't afford more needless tests. Then the doc talked me into food allergy scratch tests more $$. Let me say I don't have asthma or breathing problems, maybe a few things like rag weed or northern plants that causes sinus problem as a teen. I've been living in Florida 20 years and no longer around those allergens. The girl that tested me was a doll; she was sweet and very helpful. First they made up histamines for me, I don't really understand why. You must put a drop or two under your tongue to prevent a reaction when you come in contact with allergens. The histamines made me a little dizzy and felt like I needed to lay down about 15-minutes after the drops. After that type of reaction taking it a few times, he told me to stop and throw the small vial out. More $$ for nothing!

I asked about them doing a celiac disease profile. Although I know I have celiac disease, I'm not sure how it will change things for me (I'm gluten & dairy free 4+ years). They told me they don't do the blood work for the Celiac Profile I would have to go to Quest. Quest told me the tests are $700.00 for cash pay without insurance. Forget that!

Next -- The doc started me off scratch testing the foods I eat every day/week to see if they are the cause. I have moderate problem with bananas, beef, broccoli, carrots, chocolate, citrus, coffee, green beans, pineapples, rice, soybean <(the other test said highly), tea, and turkey. << Those foods are what I live on. Higher allergic are apples, coconut and a few more.

I stopped scratch testing because I was feeling sick. The allergist doctor made an antidote SHOT for the things that the scratch test showed I have a problem with. It was $300 prepaid to prepare the antidote. I had ONE antidote SHOT and I got sick, it was before I knew my tooth was an issue. I look back in retrospect, I had a broken back tooth that was infected after taking penicillin based antibiotic (I immediately all over felt better), then I had a crown and root canal and fixed my tooth :D . I haven't been back to the allergist since to get more shots I'm not sure I want to waste anymore $$ on scratches. I know I have serious food allergy problems more then gluten & dairy, and as time passed they are getting worse. Hope it's not non responsive celiac disease. Anyone know what that happens?

I know my celiac friends here are so helpful and know a lot more then the docs that treat us.

So what does everyone out here in cyberspace think of food scratch testing? Has anyone else had food allergy shots, for celiac disease?

Scratch tests are for histamine or allergic reactions, gluten problems are an intolerance. They do not show up on skin testing. I am far from down on allergists, it was an allergist who actually found celiac in me, but not with skin testing. He did skin test, I was positive at that time for everything but beech trees, but more importantly he guided me through an elimination diet. Most do not do this, it took me weeks to find one who did and I had to travel a ways but it was well worth it. He started me off with a couple foods and I called him weekly as I added stuff back. If he won't guide you through an elimination diet then he is worthless, but if he will you may be able to do it by phone.

  • 1 month later...
ms-sillyak-screwed Enthusiast
ms-sillyak-screwed
Posted
  • Author

.

Guest Robbin
Guest Robbin
Posted
It's me again...

I only had one of the food allergy shots, with it I had a slight reaction to it. The doc said it was because my back tooth was broken and need a root canel. I went on antibiotics and wow I felt much better. That was a few months agao. The allergist had make up a food allergy vial based on some of the foods I'm eating I have given this guy a kings ransom $$$ and he said there was no charge for 10 shot's to try and see if they help.

I'm going to give it a try. I feel I don't have anything to loose, maybe it might help. Who knows?

I had one shot today (NO reaction like before) and I'll write back and keep you posted how it works out.

I just wanted to let you know what my son's allergist told me. (Just to let you know another opinion) I asked him if the shots he gave were for the food allergies or the grasses,etc or both-he told me that they were only for the grasses and environmental allergies and that there were no "shot" treatments for the food allergies--just avoidance of that food. He is a board certified dr. and hasn't steered me wrong so far, but again, he is a dr.... :) Charges alot too.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

That's what my allergist told me, too. You just have to avoid the offending food. And carry an Eppi-Pen

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
That's what my allergist told me, too. You just have to avoid the offending food. And carry an Eppi-Pen

Thats my understanding too. My wife has a DEADLY nut allergy. If there was a treatment... we would have tired it by now.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
Thats my understanding too. My wife has a DEADLY nut allergy. If there was a treatment... we would have tired it by now.

Vincent--has your wife tried the Peabutter? It's not bad--no peanuts or gluten.

penguin Community Regular
penguin
Posted

I got my scratch tests today, I'm not allergic to any foods, but I'm allergic to air. :rolleyes: Or at least everything in it. Nothing like getting poked with 34 or so needles with every substance I'm allergic to. My arm is itching like nuts, it's about time to knock myself out with benadryl again.

My dr told me that he can do all the IgE and scratch testing he wants, but the "proof is in the pudding", with foods, diet is the only way to know if there is an allergy/intolerance or not. For example, tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.) didn't react on the scratch test, but I'm definitely allergic, since they make my mouth itch. The Dr. didn't bother with IgE testing for nuts, because the reaction is obvious, and all I have to do is avoid them.

The nurse doing the testing said that they don't do the intra-dermal testing (what they do beyond the scratch test with the plastic poker thingys) with foods because it would irritate anybody, and they would have a lot of false positives.

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
Vincent--has your wife tried the Peabutter? It's not bad--no peanuts or gluten.

Well its not peanuts thats an issue, thank God! Its a less comon nut called brazil nut.

ms-sillyak-screwed Enthusiast
ms-sillyak-screwed
Posted
  • Author

--

slpinsd Contributor
slpinsd
Posted

I just had allergy skin scratch testing, too. I'm allergic to dustmites, ragweed, and CANDIDA. I don't get it? Don't we have candida in our body? I supposedly have candida because of gluten intolerance. How can I be allergic to CANDIDA?

ms-sillyak-screwed Enthusiast
ms-sillyak-screwed
Posted
  • Author

.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,948
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Stephanie94
    Newest Member
    Stephanie94
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Jacki Espo
      Covid caused reoccurrence of DH without eating gluten

      By Jacki Espo · Posted

      This happened to me as well. What’s weirder is that within a couple hours of taking paxlovid it subsided. I thought maybe I got glutened but after reading your post not so sure. 
    • Mari
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By Mari · Posted

      Hi Tiffany. Thank you for writing your dituation and  circumstancesin such detail and so well writte, too. I particularly noticed what you wrote about brain for and feeling like your brain is swelling and I know from my own experiences that's how it feel and your brain really does swell and you get migraines.    Way back when I was in my 20s I read a book by 2 MD allergist and they described their patient who came in complaining that her brain, inside her cranium, was swelling  and it happened when she smelled a certain chemical she used in her home. She kept coming back and insisting her brain actually swelled in her head. The Drs couldn't explain this problem so they, with her permission, performed an operation where they made a small opening through her cranium, exposed her to the chemical then watched as she brain did swell into the opening. The DRs were amazed but then were able to advise her to avoid chemicals that made her brain swell. I remember that because I occasionally had brain fog then but it was not a serious problem. I also realized that I was becoming more sensitive to chemicals I used in my work in medical laboratories. By my mid forties the brain fog and chemicals forced me to leave my  profession and move to a rural area with little pollution. I did not have migraines. I was told a little later that I had a more porous blood brain barrier than other people. Chemicals in the air would go up into my sinused and leak through the blood brain barrier into my brain. We have 2 arteries  in our neck that carry blood with the nutrients and oxygen into the brain. To remove the fluids and used blood from the brain there are only capillaries and no large veins to carry it away so all those fluids ooze out much more slowly than they came in and since the small capillaries can't take care of extra fluid it results in swelling in the face, especially around the eyes. My blood flow into my brain is different from most other people as I have an arterial ischema, adefectiveartery on one side.   I have to go forward about 20 or more years when I learned that I had glaucoma, an eye problem that causes blindness and more years until I learned I had celiac disease.  The eye Dr described my glaucoma as a very slow loss of vision that I wouldn't  notice until had noticeable loss of sight.  I could have my eye pressure checked regularly or it would be best to have the cataracts removed from both eyes. I kept putting off the surgery then just overnight lost most of the vision in my left eye. I thought at the I had been exposed to some chemical and found out a little later the person who livedbehind me was using some chemicals to build kayaks in a shed behind my house. I did not realize the signifance  of this until I started having appointments with a Dr. in a new building. New buildings give me brain fog, loss of balance and other problems I know about this time I experienced visual disturbances very similar to those experienced by people with migraines. I looked further online and read that people with glaucoma can suffer rapid loss of sight if they have silent migraines (no headache). The remedy for migraines is to identify and avoid the triggers. I already know most of my triggers - aromatic chemicals, some cleaning materials, gasoline and exhaust and mold toxins. I am very careful about using cleaning agents using mostly borax and baking powder. Anything that has any fragrance or smell I avoid. There is one brand of dishwashing detergent that I can use and several brands of  scouring powder. I hope you find some of this helpful and useful. I have not seen any evidence that Celiac Disease is involved with migraines or glaucoma. Please come back if you have questions or if what I wrote doesn't make senseto you. We sometimes haveto learn by experience and finding out why we have some problems. Take care.       The report did not mention migraines. 
    • Mari
      My only proof

      By Mari · Posted

      Hi Jmartes71 That is so much like my story! You probably know where Laytonville is and that's where I was living just before my 60th birthday when the new Dr. suggested I could have Celiacs. I didn't go on a gluten challange diet before having the Celiac panel blood test drawn. The results came back as equivical as one antibody level was very high but another, tissue transaminasewas normal. Itdid show I was  allergic to cows milk and I think hot peppers. I immediately went gluten free but did not go in for an endoscopy. I found an online lab online that would do the test to show if I had a main celiac gene (enterolab.com). The report came back that I had inherited a main celiac gene, DQ8, from one parent and a D!6 from the other parent. That combination is knows to sym[tons of celiac worse than just inheriting one main celiac gene. With my version of celiac disease I was mostly constipated but after going gluten-free I would have diarrhea the few times I was glutened either by cross contamination or eating some food containing gluten. I have stayed gluten-free for almost 20 years now and knew within a few days that it was right for me although my recovery has been slow.   When I go to see a  medical provide and tell them I have celiacs they don't believe me. The same when I tell them that I carry a main celiac gene, the DQ8. It is only when I tell them that I get diarrhea after eating gluten that they realize that I might have celiac disease. Then they will order th Vitamin B12 and D3 that I need to monitor as my B12 levels can go down very fast if I'm not taking enough of it. Medical providers haven't been much help in my recovery. They are not well trained in this problem. I really hope this helps ypu. Take care.      
    • knitty kitty
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Fascinating.
    • DebJ14
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By DebJ14 · Posted

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.