Allergy question for my son and daughter

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)

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).

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!

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

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.

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.

Though the inhaled corticosteroids are more localized and don't seem to cause as many side effects.