Allergist And Food Allergy Scratch Tests

[ms-sillyak-screwed]

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[dlp252]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[ravenwoodglass]

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 . 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.

[ms-sillyak-screwed]

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[Guest Robbin]

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]

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

[VydorScope]

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]

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]

I got my scratch tests today, I'm not allergic to any foods, but I'm allergic to air. 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]

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]

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[slpinsd]

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]

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