Allergy question for my son and daughter

Red_34

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Joined : Apr 2004

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Posted 4/28/2005 7:34 PM (GMT -7)

Hi there Teri and everyone. Boy Teri, you've been a busy bee making this forum a warm and happy place!

Ok here's my question, at what point in a childs life should they go in for allergy testing? As a small child my son would be constantly sick, I had him tested and found out he was allergic to dogs, cats and dust. This was 11 years ago, since then his allergies went poof and disappeared. He was healthy as can be until just recently, he has had almost a chronic sinus infections and I'm fearing that his allergies have come back. What kinds of tests do they have for children now? He's 13 and my daughter is 9 who is also showing allergy symptoms. I myself have horrible allergies to dust, mildew and mold. I sometimes take Allegra for mine, but usually Tylonel Allergy works best for me. I just had my ducts cleaned because I don't think they've ever been cleaned and that has helped a lot but they are still coughing and sneezing.

Post Edited By Moderator (Teri16) : 6/3/2005 1:01:39 PM (GMT-6)

Teri16

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Joined : Dec 2003

Posts : 5230

Posted 4/28/2005 8:40 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Sherry and Welcome to the Allergy and Asthma

Forum!

I along with my 16 yr. old daughter and 30 year old son, have had allergies since very young ages, though mine were never diagnosed til I was in my 30's through

testing! When my son was in Jr.High and began developing many allergy symptoms he was finally tested at about that age. Then along came my daughter, who I believe was about 5 years old when she was first seen by the allergist and tested within a year.

I was told by our allergy Dr. that girls tend to outgrow their asthma allergies if they develop them at an early age, more so than boys. Both of my kids have continued with their allegies. My son went through 5 years of allergy injections and they did seem to help for a while. My daughter and I both tried that route, but it didn't seem to help us, so we stuck with inhalors and medications. The only time they ever seem to have asthma type symptoms is when they develop other types of infections first, like colds.

There are a couple of different tests for allergies and I found a some pretty reliable sites for you to look at regarding these tests! I hope they help you out a bit?! Hugs, Teri

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/allergies.html

http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatisallergytesting.stm

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Red_34

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Posted 4/29/2005 5:01 AM (GMT -7)

Those are some great websites, thank you. If my son continues to get sick, I think I may have him tested again. The poor kid had the test (can't remember the name) where they stick a needle under the skin to see reactions when he was just 2. At that age, he wouldn't be able to sit still for the scratch test. He also had seasonal asthma when he was 5. So here's to crossing my fingers that his allergies haven't returned (but I do believe they have).

**Sherry**

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Scott1

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Joined : Apr 2005

Posts : 6

Posted 4/29/2005 6:38 AM (GMT -7)

Hi Sherry,

Allergies usually change every seven years they are cyclical in nature I know I used to be allergic to everything but now just cats and grass, But people should be tested every 2 to years or so depending on your doctor I personally do not like meds.

Scott

Teri16

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Posted 4/29/2005 5:45 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Scott1 and Welcome to HealingWell!!

I knew that some foods allergies tended to be cyclical in nature, but I'm not familiar with your source saying all allergies are the same way changing every 7 years. Could you point me to a site that I could read that at-I'd be very interested-it could explain a lot of things!

What I've actually heard and either experienced myself or had one of my children experience is that the allergy seems to still be there, but the symptoms, or the reactions seem to change.

Example: We owned 2 cats and found out we were allergic to cats. I developed asthma and my daughter just sneezed away and broke out into a rash everywhere, along with any part of the body that the cat came into contact with, her eyes watered and she was just plain miserable.

We haven't had any cats in our house for a number of years now and have replaced furniture since then and carpeting. She no longer has the same reaction to cats since her exposure level went down. Now she is able to pet a cat, but must wash her hands afterwards.

Please check back in and keep me updated! :)

Teri

"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas

"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack

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Red_34

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Posted 6/3/2005 11:21 AM (GMT -7)

Well I finally took my daughter into see the dr about her allergies. We went away for the week and she turned into a major drama queen. What is it with preteen girls and overreacting about things?? Well anyway, the dr prescribed Nasonex. I've read the inserts on it and it had me a little concerned. Is this a steroid? I know that with Nasonex that it can take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks before noticing a diff in symptoms but what happens if she were to stop using it for lets say after a month or two. Will she get the rebound effect?

**Sherry**
Diagnosed with Left sided UC in 1992
Medications currently taking: Colazal 3 - 750mgs x's3 daily
Rowasa
UC status: Currently in a flare

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Teri16

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Posted 6/3/2005 12:00 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Sherry!

Ahhh, preteen girls, they are wonderful, aren't they?! Mine is 17 now and the drama continues... lol Oh, but I love it and it keeps life very interesting indeed!

Here's a site that will tell you more about the Nasonex-my daughter did use that for a while and is now on Flonase. I've never heard of having a rebound effect from these types of nasal inhalors-the ones OTC can cause that problem. Was there a reason she would stop it for any amount of time?-they're usually used year round, I thought?-and yes, it does contain a steroid.

Hugs, Teri

http://www.drugs.com/xq/cfm/pageid_0/htm_d04223A1.htm/type_mtm/tgid_17/bn_Nasonex/qx/index.htm

PS I corrected the spelling of Allergy in the title. :) Teri

"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas

"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack

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Red_34

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Joined : Apr 2004

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Posted 6/3/2005 7:43 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks Teri. The mother in me is cringing at the thought of my daughter being on a steroid for any length of time. Of course most my experiences for steroids revolve around my own illness where steroids are heavy duty and has a lot of side effects. So I'm to assume since this is safe for long term that these are not the same kind of steroids? (Prednisone is the steroid of choice with us Uc'ers). I tried Flonase for a while myself. I stopped after it gave me such a severe head cold turned brochitis thingy. I'm one of the lucky few that if an insert says a side effect might happen, it will happen!

And did I spell allergy wrong again??? geez, I need to get off this board for a while! My eyes are crossing!

Teri16

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Joined : Dec 2003

Posts : 5230

Posted 6/3/2005 8:51 PM (GMT -7)

Sherry, here's a link to read about the steroids used for asthma, including corticosteroids. As they mention, most steroids used for asthma are usually used for short term use, unlike in some situations. But they all have their side effects!! I guess we can not get away from that.