Have questions about allergy tests and Dr's

[zoranm]

Ok i think i have had enough of this lol i keep thinking i am getting a cold only to feel better the next day and just have the need to blow my nose, be stuffy and sneeze, then i take an allergy med and i am much better. I am 38, this is something that has suddenly come on in the past few months and i KNOW it is because of allergies. I ensure i vacumm everyday and clean my house regularly but i still get it and it is because of my animals which i am not willing to part with. I have had these animals, some for 10 years, so i don't know why this seems to have all of a sudden happen to me. I even brought one of the best purifiers for my house and small rooms and it doesn't help much. The animal i am suddenly allergic to the most, and the only one i get itchy and small hives from when handling are my ferrets, for which i have had for 4 years. This is also a sudden thing and bathing them more doesn't help, also i can literally walk into the room they are in (they are in a cage) and this room is large and as soon as i walk in the room i start my symptoms! so now i think it is time for another allergy test. The reason i say another is because i had one done when i was about 10 which showed very minor allergies which needed no meRAB or anything and i lived a pretty normal life, being allergic mainly to feathers and dust. My concern now is the way they use to do the test back then and how they do them now. Because i am deathly afraid of needles i am wondering if the testing part has advanced? i didn't mind the small droplets on my lower arm but i remeraber them giving me about 20 small actual needles in my upper arm! that is the part i don't want again! have they changed that part? Also i have VERY sensitive skin as it is as far as even when i rub my arm it goes red, always has been like that, so can they tell the difference between an allergic reaction and someones arm that has gone red from them wiping and pricking? Also even if the tests come back positive do they usually tell you to keep taking OTC meRAB or do they suggest a bi weekly allergy shot?

 

[Titchou]

I haven't had it done on my arms in years. The last two times were done on my back. Perhaps you could ask that they do that so you wouldn't have to see the needles/scratch marks.

I don't know at what level they recommend shots as opposed to not. Am sure there is a cut off point. I've scored tops in all every time so there's never been a question about whether I would take them!