I just had some allergy testing the ***** skin tests and then the interveinous one. On the ***** test I noticed some numbers and being overwhelmed I did not get a chance to ask what they ment. Does anyone know?? I am assuming they pertain to severity level, but what is the scale based on?? I had alot of 3+'s and some 4+'s. Is that bad or is it not that bad?? I am asking the doctor next week when I go in for my first round of allergy shots (2 per week for 3 mths then 1 every 2 weeks) but I am hoping to get some answers before then. Thanks!! :)

Well, not knowing the scale they are using it is a little hard to say. Did they measure the reactions on the skin? If so, then that's usually a measurement of size. And a 3 or 4 mm reaction is not much of one. My smallest was 10 and the largest were off the scale...and I was allergic to everything they tested me for...so after the reactions went away I had to go back a second time for them to break out some of the reactions...I think it was grasses they had to test for each one rather than the "generic" test...And the fact that you can get all the allergens in one injection is also a good indication. Some allergens are different size molecules and they can't mix them with others...meaning you'd get two injections at a time...which I do. All in all, it sounds pretty good...though I am surprised he'd start you on the shots during a full blown season...but perhaps the fact that your reactions may have been small is the reason. This time and the time before when I went on the injections I had to wait till it was more or less non-allergy season for me which means November. Did they say how long you would be one them? I'll be five years in December this time and get to stop at that point...YEA!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!

He mentioned that they are recommended to be given for 5 years. I am assuming that is how long. All questions I am going to ask, just did not ask on Tuesday!! You know....the brain was on overload!! Thanks!! :)

The skin ***** test doesn't report the results in mm. I had welts the size of half dollars, but the scale used is 1-4. So a 4+ reaction is the highest, and a 3+ is the second highest. My doctor joked that some of mine were 7+, but on my report they are all 4+. So it means your results were not small at all and you are highly allergic, and it sounds like you really need those shots.

Interesting...my last test was 5 years ago and I go to an immunologist so maybe he does it differently. And I don't recall that I was ever told the name of the test...just allergy test. From what I've heard the scratch test is more accurate than the blood test....although I am sure there are those who would argue the point.

That's interesting, I was told about the blood test that "blood doesn't lie". I was wondering though how accurate it could be when I swear I must be allergic to more than the blood test indicated.

They are both valid tests. From my understanding the skin test is an IgE reaction and the blood tests measures IgG reactions. So they are slightly different. Some doctors do both. My previous doctor believed the blood testing gave more false positives, meaning you test positive for an allergic reaction, but you are not truely allergic. My new doctor only does blood testing, and more things did show up, but I was not suprised at any of them except a reaction to cats, which was quite low. I truely believe that it is a false positive, as I have been around cats all my life and never had problems.

Thanks for the insite. I have some questions to ask when I go in on Mon for my first shot!! :) This is just all overwheming and frusterating!! I took a few days off of work next week to get my act together!!

Sneezydiva - could it be possible that my positive tea allergy had anything to do with the amount I consumed the day of the test? I'm just having a hard time understanding how I can be allergic to tea of all things.

And can someone explain to me what my results mean? I was told that on a 1-4 scale my allergy to tea was a 2 (8.64) and eggs a 1 (2.16). What should these numbers mean to me. Because my egg allergy is so low, can I still eat eggs without getting stuffed up or could either one be the cause of my sinusitis. My ENT rushed me through before I had a chance to ask a lot of questions.

I don't know much about food allegies, so I don't know about the tea. The RAST scale is the same as the skin test scale. 1 is the lowest and 4 is the highest. THe numbers in paranthesis, are the amount of IgG antibodies, I think.

I went yesterday and the doc cleared up somethings for me. They do it on a scale of 1-4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest. He did mention some docs do 5,6,7.... BUT 4 is highly allergic, so how much more highly can you go!!

He did say since carrots I scored a 4 to not eat them period. With the soy, apple and peanut he said stay away from them. If I do consume them make sure they are not within the first 3 ingredience. He said I will still have a reaction but it will probably be very low and so low that it may not bother me. But because he is a doctor he has to say DONT!! I still plan on staying away from them, but a once in a while treat or a Ooopps wont kill me!! He did prescribe me an Epi pen and told me to carry an antihistamine like benidrill at ALL times, JUST incase I have a reaction. I really like him, he was very thoughro and eventhough it was just to get a shot, not an appointment he still talked and went over my conserns!! I think I was just overwhelmed and panic set in. I DO feel better and he even said I looked better!! He laughed and said wait til the allergy shots kick in....he said "you think you feel better NOW....you have not seen anything yet!!" He also said with the allergy shots they are building my immunity to the allergies so I should be able to introduce stuff back into my diet after they kick in.

So are you getting shots for the foods you are allergic to? Or just the environmental stuff? (pollen etc.) I have an appointment tomorrow to find out my RAST food results.

Yeah!! Both the foods and other allgeries. He did 2 tests on me cause when they make up the syrum they need to know everything!! They tested the negetives with a second test which is more sensitive. But yeah everything!!

They make it special for just you, or at least that is my understanding.

Wow! I didn't know they gave shots for food allergies. That makes me a little more optimistic about tomorrow's appointment. I already get shots for pollen etc.. and they have helped a bunch, but something is still not quite right. Maybe my food results will be the answer I'm looking for.