How do they test toddlers for allergies?!
Question: If a toddler has bad allergies, what can be done?
My sons legs turn BRIGHT RED in the grass in summer/spring.
He also has bad eczema that we cannot get cleared up. (It is on his face and arms). I don't know what else to do. We use RX's and over-the-counter stuff. I can't find anything that works.
Can anyone help me out on allergies and eczema in children?
Answers: If a toddler has bad allergies, what can be done?
My sons legs turn BRIGHT RED in the grass in summer/spring.
He also has bad eczema that we cannot get cleared up. (It is on his face and arms). I don't know what else to do. We use RX's and over-the-counter stuff. I can't find anything that works.
Can anyone help me out on allergies and eczema in children?
I have a child with severe eczema. The allergy testing is pretty worthless. They tell you what he's allergic to, but it doesn't matter unless you're ready to subject him to allergy shots, which are very expensive, may or may not work, are painful, and will need to be given for the rest of his life. Also, you can pretty much see that he is allergic to grass. Make him wear long socks in the grass, rinse him off when he gets inside. Singulair works best for us. I'm sure you've tried all the standard things on his face and arms...aquaphor healing ointment is the best as far as non prescription stuff goes. This is how it works for us...we use aquaphor everyday, then if our son has a 'flare up', we will use some prescription steroid ointment...if it's a really bad flare up, he may need to take some oral steroids. It has gotten better as he's gotten older, so there is some hope. When he was two, his feet got so bad that they would crack and bleed and swell. They just didn't even look like feet to me...it was terrible. Now he is 8 and he still has some bad spots, but nothing like it was when he was two. Ask me some more questions, I'm full of experience on this one.
An allergist can do a skin prick test to environmental allergens as well as possible food allergens if that is a concern. There is also something called a CAP RAST where they draw blood from your child and test the reaction in a lab. Some pediatricians can do the CAP RAST in their office, however may be more useful if there were food allergy concerns.
Eczema can be related to both envionmental and/or food allergies. Especially if the eczema is hard to get under control. Although some kids respond to Zertec (sp?) plus constant lotioning up after baths, etc. others may need milk or wheat removed from their diets--but don't do this unless the allergy tests say they are allergic.
Does his eczema seem to break out year round or does it seem to happen in the spring?
It is very Important that you Test For and TREAT Your Childs Allergies.
suggest.. Yahoo'ing Allergy March.
I speaks to the clinically Documented PROGRESSION of ALLERGY ...
starting in kids and into yound Adult.
Suggest an IGE Environmental Allergens BLOOD test via your primary Dr.
Then once Offendning Allergens are Identified...
begin KID Friendly, Drug FREE, Under-the-Tongue ImmunoTherapy DROPs.
ALSO...
because Allergies BEGIN with FOOD in Infants...
suggest an IgE Allergy Blood Test to Identify the IMMEDIATE FOOD allergy sources ..
and more Importantly ..
an IgG4 FOOD blood Test for DELAYED FOOD allergies.
Rember ..
MEd's only mask Symptoms...
they Do NOT Address the ROOT of your Allergy Disease...
Allergy is a Progressive Chronic Disease.
Good Luck
My son has severe food allergies and we go to a pediatric allergist once a year to do the skin testing. It consists of them drawing a chart with a sharpie on his back and labeling it with one control and then they fill small needles with a small amount of the allergen and prick the back with it....just on the top of the skin. If it blisters...it is a reaction and then they measure the size of the hive/blister. It usually looks like a mosquito bite on my son. Also, they ask you not to administer Benedryl for 3 weeks prior the test. Hope that helps!