Scratch Test

We went to the allergist on Monday to get the patch test patches applied. I am an idiot and somehow didn't realize they were going to do the scratch test at Monday's visit and not during the following appointment. Minor detail I suppose.

This is the scratch test.

Stripped down to a diaper, first clue bad things are in the immediate future.

"If I stare them down they won't hurt me." Didn't work but was worth a shot.

They mark his arm.

Then the other arm.

Tiger baby is marked up and ready to go.

They use a plastic stick with small prongs at the tip (dipped in food) and twist it against the skin. (Apologizes for the sideways video. After waiting 10 minutes for it to upload you are lucky you are still getting a post.)

18 different food samples + 2 controls

Wait 15 minutes.

Come back to read the results (=see how big the bumps are) and........

Nothing! Absolutely. Nothing. He reacted to the positive control (which he should have) but a big fat negative on everything else.

1 set of RAST results came back. He got a green light to eat quinoa, sweet potatoes, and pinto beans. Daddy is excited Tyler can "be a Mexican." (I am not being racist, I am using my husband's words. If you ask DH what nationality he is, he will tell you he's Mexican.)

We asked the doctor if it is common to have negative scratch results. Unfortunately it can be common. Urgh! The good part is that we don't have to worry about anaphylaxis.

Then they started the Patch Test.

Patch Test = Food stuck on small metal disks and taped to your back for 48 hours.



"Help me, Mom! I've got tape stuck to my back."

Luckily the 48 hours is almost over because the smell isn't so pleasant. Nothing like ham, beef, chicken, wheat, soy, egg, pears, bananas, and 10 other foods taped to your back. Yum yum! :)

By the end......

He was done.