Have you ever been allergy tested?

[ChuckFinlay]

Was it beneficial?

My head is currently spinning between methodology, as my NHS (UK publicly funded) doctor is saying its a waste of time, and trying to force more creams and pills on me, and the Professor I have seen privately is saying I have allergies and to go and spend several hundred pounds on testing.

I can find as many positive articles as negative when researching, and am at a loss as to what to do.

Has anyone undergone testing for food allergies/eczema related issues?

TIA

Chuck

[SUBversive]

Yes I have but I knew what my major allergy was/is. And so when I provided my medical history I was tested for that and a few common and close things. At the same time frame, a coworker was tested. They made a "mistake" and tested her for the entire battery or many many more than I had. In my case, I know but thought it would be nice to be "checked" or get a profile of things I didn't know about. But felt I didn't really have that experience. My major allergy can't be treated or isn't subject to desensitize so they said. So I wasn't sure why I was tested in the first place. Was another experience of modern medicine in the west.

Me: "Doc I have a pain. ".
Doc: "ok let's get some MRI scans and blood work."
Me: "umm ok but I just had all that .... (Starting to worry)
Doc: "oh ya I'm sure it's going to be negative. In fact I'm sure it is but lets just get it to be sure"
Me: worry
Waste hours for testing
Doc: "ok great all testing was normal just like I thought. See you next year....

[ChuckFinlay]

Are you in America? My sister moved ther several years ago and can't believe how much more willing doctors are to run a whole load of tests, as they're being paid for by insurance.

[Dan Pierce]

Living in the midwest is all the test you need.
dP

[Rashid.bk]

Yes, but it helps to narrow down some possible allergies based on past medical history, past family medical history and previous/current concerns.
To just plain test for allergies in general can be costly and unnecessary especially if you're an adult, since the likelihood that an allergy was already discovered is more common versus a four year old child.

[lig]

Yes. It didn't get charged to me or my HMO - they usually try and dissuade you from referrals or pricey testing since they get a fixed amount of $ per year to cover you period.

It was many years ago and I recall being mildly allergic to 21 of the 36 things they tested for.

Best thing I ever did for allergies- removing the wall to wall carpeting in the house and going with hardwood actually bamboo) floors.

Huge difference.

[Rodentman]

I am allergic to the tests.

[keschete]

Having an allergy test helps you pinpoint the allergens that you can avoid. In the US we do Patch testing on the skin or antibody testing with a simple blood test.

If you are allergic there are shots, but better yet sublingual allergy drops that do the same thing, cost less and can be administered from home.

It is worth the cost to know what you are allergic too. Unless you are allergic to dust mites, you can basically avoid a lot of problems.

I am a Nurse Practitioner and I have been working as an ear, nose and throat clinic for 7 years. I treat allergies for a living.

[tattooedfagin]

Quite some time ago but had no faith in the results