Scratch Test For Food Allergies

[Caseysmommy]

Wondering if anyone else had to get a scratch test on there toddler? How does it go does it hurt. Also do you know how much it is. I have a high deductable so my insurance dosent cover it. Also I have already put her on Gluten free and she has approved but now seems to react to other foods, Watermelon, tomatoes, vinager to name a few. Any advice. Angie

[Cinnamon]

No, the scratch test doesn't hurt at all. I had 3 of my kids tested and they weren't bothered in the least, and I just had it done Friday and it's quite painless. Don't know how much it costs since I haven't got the bill yet, but I've heard it's inexpensive.

It may not show anything, since celiac is an IgA reaction and the scratch test only checks for IgE reactions .There are also IgG food reactions, which are harder to diagnose. So if she comes out negative, that doesn't mean all is well with her and gluten. If she's improved on a gluten free diet, that tells you something right there. It doesn't tell you whether it's an IgA or IgG or IgE reaction, but it does show an intolerance to gluten, at least.

It's great that you are finding this out so early in her life! You'll be able to spare her a lot of difficulties. My son was 10 and daughter 11 before we finally figured out what was wrong.

[Cinnamon]

Whoops, you didn't say whether Casey is a boy or girl and I assumed girl, since I know a girl Casey. My apologies if it's a he and not a she!

[Amyleigh0007]

I had the scratch test done. It did not hurt although not touching the spots where the oil is would be hard for a toddler. I just got my statement and it was $280.

[Juliebove]

My daughter had it done at about age 3 and again recently at age 10. At age 3 they did her arm. At age 10 they did her back. The hardest part was keeping her still for the 20 minutes or so it took to wait for a reaction. It wasn't fun but it didn't hurt.

[Caseysmommy]

Thank you for your replies it makes me feel better that it dosent hurt. Also Casey is a girl.

[tarnalberry]

I've had two - the scratches on the back didn't hurt, though some of them tickled *a lot*, and you can't move, so I wouldn't describe it as pleasant! (it was in the lower area, and I had a *lot* of scratches.) they followed up with subdermal testing, however, which was not painless (it's a shot of the allergen under the dermis), so it's worth asking the allergist about how much testing they're going to be doing.

(and, of course, allergy testing won't detect food intolerances and chemical sensitivities, only allergies.)

[jillb]

Thank you for your replies it makes me feel better that it dosent hurt. Also Casey is a girl.

You may want to research mast cell entercolitis. This is what I have and it includes gluten intolerance and problems with tomatoe, vinegar, fermented food, chocolate, coffee, aged foods. I guess it is genetically related to celiac. I am on antihistamines which helps alot.

[ECD]

I have to get scratch testing done soon, so I'm glad to hear it doesn't hurt even though I'm 23 and not 3 Sitting still for twenty minutes, combined with itchy hives, is what I've been told is the most difficult part. Maybe you could bring some books or something that'll keep her distracted but less wiggly?

[mindwiped]

I'll agree that it doesn't hurt, I've had the whole environmental series ran twice, but I found it incredible that both times they managed to get the allergens I'm most sensitive to right under where the bra's straps go. My allergist had a 'no itch' spray for after it was all said and done, and I took oral benedryl AFTER it was done (don't take before, it'll mess up the results). The hardest part is to lay still and not scratch.