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False Allergy Testing?

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Posted 2/23/2006 9:18 AM (GMT -8)
Good Morning all.

As you can tell from my name I am usually posting on another board here, but I have a question. My husband went for allergy testing and found out he is allergic to all kinds of fruits, veggies, wood and molds. He has been certain for about 10 years that he was allergic to pets, which made me rather disappointed as I really wanted a cat.

Anyways, so this is my question:

Have any of you had allergy testing (this was the scratching test on the arm) and it came back saying that you werent' allergic to something even though you think you are?

I want him to be more open to having a pet but he is so convinced that the test is wrong, it is frusterating.

Thank you!

Erin

Posted 2/23/2006 1:28 PM (GMT -8)
Maybe he just doesn't want a pet??? lol Usually only false tests result if the patient takes an antihistamine before the testing. These tests are pretty accurate and if you're allergic to any of the things tested it will show up as a hive, welt or redness. Was he tested to see if he was allergic to cats or dogs?
Posted 4/26/2006 11:15 AM (GMT -8)

I am curious if your testing turned out to be correct.  I underwent scratch testing, and had a horrible reaction to just the histamine/the control, so my testing was not accurate and my doc wouldn't do it again (nor would I want to!)  My other option was the blood test, but it showed up completely negative for the foods (shellfish) that I have been having anaphylactic reactions to for 10 years! I don't know HOW that could be?! 

Does anyone else know of a reason how/why a blood test might not show an allergy that you and others have witnessed reactions to? My doctor is not sure, and I am at my wits end worrying about this - I know I cannot have these foods but why would it not show up??

Thanks for any help or ideas anyone might have!!

Posted 4/26/2006 11:26 AM (GMT -8)
Emma what kind of medications and vitamins/mineral supplements are you on? Sometimes meds or supplements can alter the results of a blood test.
Posted 5/2/2006 6:29 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks for asking.  I actually did not take any meds or OTC's the week prior to the testing, so that it would be as accurate as possible.  I just don't know what else to do, as I have really bad -anaphylactic - reactions to certain foods, but my blood test came up negative.  I attempted the scratch test, but my anaph. reaction to the histamine was so bad, my dr suggests that I never do that again, nor do I want to.  Other than going to another specialist, any ideas??

Thanks!!!!

Posted 7/17/2006 6:08 PM (GMT -8)
Just wanted to note, my allergist told me recently that the blood and scratch tests can be "unreliable" with food allergies and are generally more accurate for the inhalants.  I was shocked when he told me!
Posted 7/17/2006 10:02 PM (GMT -8)
Yes, the blood test (RAST) as well as the skin prick test may show false negaitives as well as false positives ... if you know you had reactions to certain foods then it's most likely you do have an allergy. I have anaphylaxis as well. My most recent RAST test all came back negative .. my doctor says not to trust it. As she has seen me go into anaphylaxis first hand. Remembr always keep strict avoidence, let everyone know, and if not already get yourself a medic alert.

Post Edited (firemt) : 7/18/2006 12:05:08 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/18/2006 6:32 AM (GMT -8)
thanks for the reassurance! I am glad to know that others have had false negatives.  I KNOW I am allergic, as I went into anaph. during the scratch testing, even though the subsequent blood test showed nothing.  I felt like such an idiot when the test showed nothing - as if you could or would want to make that reaction up!!  I will just continue on avoiding the offending things, and I did get a medi-bracelet and carry my epi-pens.  My dr prescribed them to me the day of my anaph. reaction she witnessed during testing, before my tests came back negative! 

Thanks everyone for responding :-)

Posted 7/18/2006 11:23 AM (GMT -8)
:) It's nice to know other are in the boat! lol .. I was a bit worried myself. Until I went to my doctors and she explained it to me. I am very happy to hear that you do have an medicalert bracelet and carry epipens!! SUPER important! ... do you mind me asking which medicalert did you order? I am looking for a new one as the current one I have right now does not look like a medicalert. It has been over looked many times, because it looks like a sports watch. I am looking at the new sports one with the toggle clasp. from www.medicalert.ca. I think that one would be much easier to see.
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