So, most of you know that we took Hudson for skin testing on Tuesday. Based on his RAST (blood test) results, we knew that he was still allergic to nuts/eggs, but the RAST numbers had decreased so we were hoping that a skin test might reveal a negative.
With this appointment, I requested that we test him for other environmental triggers (trees, weeds, grasses, molds, animals) since he is pretty symptomatic. For a kiddo the panel consists of 24 allergens. Dr. Kayser agreed that based on his history and the fact that he was using a daily inhaler + Zyrtec and still had symptoms, that it was a good idea.
The appointment started off okay - he was in a good mood. Until the nurse took his blood pressure (first time for him) - he FREAKED out. They actually had to do it twice because he was so panicked by it that it would read correctly. Anyway - the funny part was that after she was finished the second time she was leaving and Hudson growled really loud as she walked out. He turned and through his tears said "I growl her out!". It was hilarious.
Anyhoo - next nurse came in to write the numbers on his back. He had a columns 1-12, 13-24, and A-G. He was very upset when we took his shirt off - did not want that, so that started it all. He pretty much cried hysterically as Jared held him (hug style - facing Jared) and two nurses administered 31 scratch tests.
The hardest part, for us, was that once they left, we still couldn't hold Hudson like normal to calm him because we could not touch any part of his back. He kept asking us to scratch/itch his back. Pretty much immediately we started seeing the makings of reactions.
By the time the test was completed, he was allergic to 26 of the 31 items tested for. Some were more significant than others, but essentially the only things that he was NOT allergic to were Oak, two types of grass, and dust (thank goodness!).
He was still allergic to eggs, slightly allergic to 5 additional nuts, significantly allergic to peanuts. He is slightly allergic to all of the spring pollens, more allergic to all weeds (so Fall will the hardest for us in Central Texas) and significantly allergic to dogs and cats.
We are in the process of re-cleaning the house, etc, and coming up with ways to minimize the amount of dander that comes off of Gunny. We think that the combo of his slight allergies to everything else in the world, combined with Gunny is what gives him the symptoms. The spring season should be his healthiest season. So - we're working on that.
We left with a lot to think about, a new prescription allergy med to start in the late summer, an a worn out kid! We went out to lunch at Chili's (they have a safe foods menu) and Hudson slept on Jared's shoulder through the entire lunch.
Anyway - just wanted to let you guys know how it went...I was expecting the results to be exactly what they were (based on his symptoms), but was REALLY hoping for better, so it was a little disappointing. But - as always - it could be so much worse and we are so lucky to have such a happy, healthy, smart and active little boy. Being in those specialty pediatric offices really give you perspective. 25/31 allergies is NOTHING compared to what others handle.
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