Went To An Allergist

[shadowicewolf]

Because i hadn't been feeling well and i've been as gluten free as possible. So i thought why not? Did 60 scratch test pokes (40 enviormental and 20 food). The food ones i was concerned about (both in myself and my family history) and the enviormental was reccomended since i had seasonal allergies bad.

Come to find out i'm severely allergic to tomatos (quote from doctor). That spot hived up so big, and boy did it itch. I had already eliminated tomatos due to "not feeling right about them". The enviormental came back as being allergic to weeds/grass/maple trees/dogs/cats ><.

Anywho, despite not really figureing out what i've been eating that may be making me sick, its good to know about the tomatos.

Did any of you guys go through this?

[StephanieL]

Just so you know, allergy tests are only 50% accurate for a positive test. So while you may very well be allergic to tomatoes, you may not be. If you want to test the theory you can take them out and try them again (with guidance from your Dr.!)

A negative test is about 90% accurate.

[shadowicewolf]

Just so you know, allergy tests are only 50% accurate for a positive test. So while you may very well be allergic to tomatoes, you may not be. If you want to test the theory you can take them out and try them again (with guidance from your Dr.!)

A negative test is about 90% accurate.

Yeah, i know. My grandmother is living proof of that. However, my doctor said by no means should i have tomatos sooo yeah no tomatos for me (didn't like them much to begin with).

[Skylark]

Just so you know, allergy tests are only 50% accurate for a positive test. So while you may very well be allergic to tomatoes, you may not be. If you want to test the theory you can take them out and try them again (with guidance from your Dr.!)

A negative test is about 90% accurate.

Allergy tests are actually very accurate. You learn exactly what you are allergic to when it is scratched into your skin. Oh, wait... you wanted to know what happens when you eat it...

In seriousness, I thought allergens that cause a big, dramatic weal and flare were usually a problem in food. Isn't it the milder reactions that are harder to sort out?

[shadowicewolf]

Allergy tests are actually very accurate. You learn exactly what you are allergic to when it is scratched into your skin. Oh, wait... you wanted to know what happens when you eat it...

In seriousness, I thought allergens that cause a big, dramatic weal and flare were usually a problem in food. Isn't it the milder reactions that are harder to sort out?

Sometimes. I've had medications cause me massive allergic reactions (ie: hive covered body for over a week).

This test just... gives an idea or perhaps even some advice what to stay away from.

[StephanieL]

Allergy tests are actually very accurate. You learn exactly what you are allergic to when it is scratched into your skin. Oh, wait... you wanted to know what happens when you eat it...

In seriousness, I thought allergens that cause a big, dramatic weal and flare were usually a problem in food. Isn't it the milder reactions that are harder to sort out?

You can have a large reaction to a skin test but NOT be allergic to it 50% of the time. So yeah, they are about that accurate That is testing for IgE allergies which are the ones that cause anaphylaxis. There are other reactions but they would be classified as "intolerances", not "true" allergies. Things like GI issues and skin issues (when found alone) would typically fall under IgG or IgA or other immunity.

The "gold standard" for food allergy testing is a food trial (in office for many of them though some Doc's let people do them at home if the numbers indicate).

[shadowicewolf]

You can have a large reaction to a skin test but NOT be allergic to it 50% of the time. So yeah, they are about that accurate That is testing for IgE allergies which are the ones that cause anaphylaxis. There are other reactions but they would be classified as "intolerances", not "true" allergies. Things like GI issues and skin issues (when found alone) would typically fall under IgG or IgA or other immunity.

The "gold standard" for food allergy testing is a food trial (in office for many of them though some Doc's let people do them at home if the numbers indicate).

Depends on the doctors definition of a true allergy. My grandmother i mentioned will swell, hive up, or have shock depending on the item in question she is exposed too.

Intolerences are slightly different because most of the time, they do not have a hive reaction, as they tend to be more of a stomach problem

[StephanieL]

Depends on the doctors definition of a true allergy. My grandmother i mentioned will swell, hive up, or have shock depending on the item in question she is exposed too.

Intolerences are slightly different because most of the time, they do not have a hive reaction, as they tend to be more of a stomach problem

Right. That's what I mean. I am sure your Grandmother would skin and blood test + with that reaction. But again, if you took 10 people off the street and tested them for milk, 1/2 would test + but NOT actually be allergic to it.

[GlutenFreeManna]

Right. That's what I mean. I am sure your Grandmother would skin and blood test + with that reaction. But again, if you took 10 people off the street and tested them for milk, 1/2 would test + but NOT actually be allergic to it.

I actually have an anaphylactic reaction to milk but I tested negative on both skin and blood tests (IgE testing). My allergist said not to eat dairy even though the tests were negative. He even gave me an epi-pen based on my physical reactions alone. So I don't have much trust for allergy testing. I have to wonder if those 50% that test positive were to remove dairy if they would have some small things go away. One thing I have noticed since completely removign dariy is my asthma is completely gone. I have no seasonal allergies at all now and I don't get sinus infections anymore. I still have some dust allergies but not as bad. I think many things that people consider "normal" and treat with medication may go away if they identified their intoelrances and allergies and elimianted those foods.

[StephanieL]

I actually have an anaphylactic reaction to milk but I tested negative on both skin and blood tests (IgE testing).

Oh yes! A reaction trumps ANY test. That is why an in office challenge is the "gold standard". If a test is + but you KNOW you react, go off the food. If you are + but know you DON'T react, a food challenge with the Dr's guidance is the way to go.

So I should not have said "sure" cause as most here know...immunology is a pretty inexact science