Allergy testing?

[TheNewGirl 1,496]

Do doctor's still do that allergy testing on your back? I remember when I was younger, they would scratch your back or something and wait to see if you had a reaction...do they still do this?

 

I find it odd that I need it for myself at 30 years old. Never been allergic to anything before, and suddenly, I can't wear eye makeup.

[Brown Eyed Girl 1]

Well it's obvious to say that our bodies go through quite a bit of changes as we age. This is not only physically, but internally as well. Chemical changes occur internally and things we were normally able to tolerate, we may find we no longer can. This includes skin changes/sensitivities so I'm not surprised to hear that you are unable to wear certain cosmetics now that you normally were fine with before. This has happened with me as well.

[Saturday Night Beaver 2]

I had allergy testing in 2001. The test was done on my arms. The doctor took about 10 or so needles an pricked both of my arms to see what I was allergic to. After a few minutes, my arms were itching like crazy.

 

Turns out I have bad allergies- dust, ragweed bunch of other stuff and minor food alergies. I was going for shots twice a week for a month, then twice a month. I stopped after a year- did not feel they work working. When the doctor increased the dosage of each shot, my arm blew up. Instead of looking like a small mosquito bite, it was now the size of a baseball. A little painful too.

 

I take Allegra 180- well I am suppsosed to take it, but I have not all winter.

 

Good luck.

 

Allergies suck.

[TheNewGirl 1,496]

Well it's obvious to say that our bodies go through quite a bit of changes as we age. This is not only physically, but internally as well. Chemical changes occur internally and things we were normally able to tolerate, we may find we no longer can. This includes skin changes/sensitivities so I'm not surprised to hear that you are unable to wear certain cosmetics now that you normally were fine with before. This has happened with me as well.

 

I look HORRIBLE without eye make up.

[veebs4 2]

After years of having no known allergies, my wife had 3 instances which caused us to go get her allergy tested (shrimp all of a sudden caused her eyes to swell shut, and a reaction to running after eating marinara sauce twice). Her test (all potential food allergens) involved small pricks on the underside of her forearm for a suite of allergens, then she had them checked a day or two later. I am not sure if it is the same procedure for cosmetics. Lo and behold, she is now allergic to shrimp.

 

FWIW, I went through allergy testing and shots due to my allergy-induced asthma when I was young (treatments started in 4th grade, and ended in 8th grade). It really helped, and I have had no more problems than the average person with spring/fall colds and runny noses since.

[TheNewGirl 1,496]

After years of having no known allergies, my wife had 3 instances which caused us to go get her allergy tested (shrimp all of a sudden caused her eyes to swell shut, and a reaction to running after eating marinara sauce twice). Her test (all potential food allergens) involved small pricks on the underside of her forearm for a suite of allergens, then she had them checked a day or two later. I am not sure if it is the same procedure for cosmetics. Lo and behold, she is now allergic to shrimp.

 

FWIW, I went through allergy testing and shots due to my allergy-induced asthma when I was young (treatments started in 4th grade, and ended in 8th grade). It really helped, and I have had no more problems than the average person with spring/fall colds and runny noses since.

 

 

That gives me hope.

 

If I can just figure out WHAT I am allergic to, that would help SOOO much.

[Brown Eyed Girl 1]

I look HORRIBLE without eye make up.

 

You and I both!

 

You can't wear ANY eye make-up at all?

With me, I can't wear Maybelline mascara... you know the one in the pink and green tube? I wore that kind for years and it was great. All of a sudden my eyes started getting so itchy and irritated and began swelling up whenever I would apply it! I'm fine with other brands though.

 

As far as my skin, I notice sensitivities to certain creams and lotions so I'm just careful what I wear.

 

See your doctor and get referred to an allergist for that, girl! I'm sure there's some kind of eye make-up that you could wear for your sensitivity.

[TheNewGirl 1,496]

You and I both!

 

You can't wear ANY eye make-up at all?

With me, I can't wear Maybelline mascara... you know the one in the pink and green tube? I wore that kind for years and it was great. All of a sudden my eyes started getting so itchy and irritated and began swelling up whenever I would apply it! I'm fine with other brands though.

 

As far as my skin, I notice sensitivities to certain creams and lotions so I'm just careful what I wear.

 

See your doctor and get referred to an allergist for that, girl! I'm sure there's some kind of eye make-up that you could wear for your sensitivity.

 

Right now, it seems to be any kind of eyeshadow or liner that has ANY kind of shimmer in it - and that's made with nickel, so that might be a problem.

 

Mascara seems to be okay, as does my face makeup, so we will see. I might be able to get by with just mascara, and that will work for me...but my lashes and brows are just so faint without anything on them...I look VERY plain.

 

It's actually VERY depressing, since I am having issues with my "looks" right now...feel frumpy, feel blah, hair is blah, etc...and NOW I can't wear makeup. It truly is the suck.

[veebs4 2]

Right now, it seems to be any kind of eyeshadow or liner that has ANY kind of shimmer in it - and that's made with nickel, so that might be a problem.

 

Mascara seems to be okay, as does my face makeup, so we will see. I might be able to get by with just mascara, and that will work for me...but my lashes and brows are just so faint without anything on them...I look VERY plain.

 

It's actually VERY depressing, since I am having issues with my "looks" right now...feel frumpy, feel blah, hair is blah, etc...and NOW I can't wear makeup. It truly is the suck.

 

I think, like you said, once you know the cause, you'll be able to find an alternative product that won't cause you trouble. Hell, I've been to some of those cosmetics counters and specialty stores.... I'm SURE there is something you could use among the millions of products. Sounds like it's time for some self-pampering at a spa!

[Rusty Syringes 478]

The last time I got tested, I got 74 needles in the arm.

 

That's right: SEVENTYFUCKINGFOUR.

 

 

My Geek name was partially based on my needle fear, so you can imagine how thrilled I was at the testing.

 

Of course, I'm allergic to just about everthing, so my arms looked liked I'd been attacked by an angry swarm of mosquitoes.

 

So I clearly qualify for the allergy shots. I started to get them at the clinic, but they charged me $20 for what amounts to a 0.5 cent syringe and a nurse taking all of 3 or 4 seconds to shoot me up.

 

After expressing horror at the idea of spending $20 a week, the nurse suggested that I give them to myself.

 

So now, once a week, I load up a syringe with this piss-colored allergy medicine and jam it into the back of my arm.

 

 

Right now, it seems to be any kind of eyeshadow or liner that has ANY kind of shimmer in it - and that's made with nickel, so that might be a problem.

 

Mascara seems to be okay, as does my face makeup, so we will see. I might be able to get by with just mascara, and that will work for me...but my lashes and brows are just so faint without anything on them...I look VERY plain.

 

It's actually VERY depressing, since I am having issues with my "looks" right now...feel frumpy, feel blah, hair is blah, etc...and NOW I can't wear makeup. It truly is the suck.

 

You guys need to take this sh!t to the MDC Forum.

 

[cgod 0]

The last time I got tested, I got 74 needles in the arm.

 

That's right: SEVENTYFUCKINGFOUR.

 

 

My Geek name was partially based on my needle fear, so you can imagine how thrilled I was at the testing.

 

Of course, I'm allergic to just about everthing, so my arms looked liked I'd been attacked by an angry swarm of mosquitoes.

 

So I clearly qualify for the allergy shots. I started to get them at the clinic, but they charged me $20 for what amounts to a 0.5 cent syringe and a nurse taking all of 3 or 4 seconds to shoot me up.

 

After expressing horror at the idea of spending $20 a week, the nurse suggested that I give them to myself.

 

So now, once a week, I load up a syringe with this piss-colored allergy medicine and jam it into the back of my arm.

 

 

Rusty, a TNG thread entailing mention of (make-up) ingredients and you don't offer an eye of newt and scrotum of bat reference? Man you're slipping.

 

TNG, hang in there, hope they figure it out. Also, you're not frumpy or blah.

[GettnHuge 2]

Do doctor's still do that allergy testing on your back? I remember when I was younger, they would scratch your back or something and wait to see if you had a reaction...do they still do this?

 

I find it odd that I need it for myself at 30 years old. Never been allergic to anything before, and suddenly, I can't wear eye makeup.

 

I remember doing that....in the late 80s when I was a kid.

put those things all over my back, felt nice imho, but had a few of them show positive. cats, cottonwood typical stuff

[stop talking cheerleader 0]

I had it done in Oct. They insert the things you may be allergic to into your skin in a series of pin pricks, they also do it to your back if your getting testing for more then 8 things. Then they wait to see if certain spots raise and get inflammed...that shows what your allergic to. I was allergic to ragweed, dust and tabacco.

[Brown Eyed Girl 1]

It's actually VERY depressing, since I am having issues with my "looks" right now...feel frumpy, feel blah, hair is blah, etc...and NOW I can't wear makeup. It truly is the suck.

 

Ugh... I know how that feels. Don't worry, though - I'm sure all of it is temporary... you're just in a funk.

 

You'll get out of it and start feeling good about yourself again.

[Chiefs04 0]

Unless you have a specific allergic problem that can be easily identified, most allergy specialists will do a broad skin test involving, as described earlier, several small injections under the skin. This is usually performed on the arm in adults and on the back in children or very petite adults. Each injection tests for numerous allergens.

 

The shots are becoming a thing of the past now that serum treatments are proving to be just as effective.

 

TNG, it seems as if your problem is relatively specific and should be easily identified. Go to an Allergy Specialist.

 

It has become commonplace for many Internal Med Docs practicing Primary Care to sub in Allergies, so your Primary Doc may already be able to help.

[TheNewGirl 1,496]

He said that it's TOTALLY a makeup allergy...since it's localized to JUST my eyelids. So, on the flip side, there is little I can do to clear it up, aside from waiting. Since it's the eyelids, there aren't many meds they can prescribe.

 

So, no make up for 6 to 8 weeks. Then after that it will be trial and error to see what does or doesn't cause it again.

 

Woo hoo.

 

[BMoney 0]

He said that it's TOTALLY a makeup allergy...since it's localized to JUST my eyelids. So, on the flip side, there is little I can do to clear it up, aside from waiting. Since it's the eyelids, there aren't many meds they can prescribe.

 

So, no make up for 6 to 8 weeks. Then after that it will be trial and error to see what does or doesn't cause it again.

 

Woo hoo.

 

 

 

it may not be the makeup afterall...it could be that you are allergic to your silicone....

 

i would ask the dr to give u another test if i were u...

 

allergies do stink..thats 1 plus about having cold winters here..that stuff dies and u get some relief..

[DuckStupid 40]

I suppose MUA is out of the question then?

[Rusty Syringes 478]

He said that it's TOTALLY a makeup allergy...since it's localized to JUST my eyelids. So, on the flip side, there is little I can do to clear it up, aside from waiting. Since it's the eyelids, there aren't many meds they can prescribe.

 

So, no make up for 6 to 8 weeks. Then after that it will be trial and error to see what does or doesn't cause it again.

 

Woo hoo.

 

 

 

I guess this means your days of spackling on the Tammy Faye Baker makeup inventory are OVAH!

 

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,432]

My 3 year old has some significant allergies (eggs, beef, pork, lamb) and he gets tested each year to see if he has grown out of any one of his allergies. They do the poking in a grid on his back with some control squares. I think that because of his size, they can only test him for 6 things (12 squares, 1/2 are controls).

 

 

I would imagine that if they were able to use your ass as an area to test on, they might be able to test you for every compound known to man

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J/K, but that was just too easy to pass up.  Sorry.

[TheNewGirl 1,496]

I suppose MUA is out of the question then?

 

 

This was pretty good.

 

 

I would imagine that if they were able to use your ass as an area to test on, they might be able to test you for every compound known to man

J/K, but that was just too easy to pass up.  Sorry.

 

 

 

[Fenster 6]

Just found out I'm allergic to these seven things...Doc's words:

 

Oak (violently allergic)

Ragweed (ridiculously allergic)

Dust Mites (extremely allergic)

Grass

Cat

Dog

Birch

 

Basically reacting to something year round...gonna start those drops you take three times a day for like two years.

[Patriotsfatboy1 1,432]

My 3 year old has some significant allergies (eggs, beef, pork, lamb) and he gets tested each year to see if he has grown out of any one of his allergies. They do the poking in a grid on his back with some control squares. I think that because of his size, they can only test him for 6 things (12 squares, 1/2 are controls).

 

 

I would imagine that if they were able to use your ass as an area to test on, they might be able to test you for every compound known to man

 

 

 

J/K, but that was just too easy to pass up.  Sorry.

 

I forgot just how funny I am.

[Rusty Syringes 478]

I forgot just how funny I am.

 

 

And ungrateful?

 

[shovelheadt 71]

It's usually done on underside of your forearms now..like in this pic.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http:/...%26tbs%3Disch:1

 

Dip the plastic piece into a tray full of different allergens, then press it against your arm forcefully. No needles, just a rough edge that 'scratches' your skin.

[Fenster 6]

It's usually done on underside of your forearms now..like in this pic.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http:/...%26tbs%3Disch:1

 

Dip the plastic piece into a tray full of different allergens, then press it against your arm forcefully. No needles, just a rough edge that 'scratches' your skin.

 

 

Yep, that's what they did to me on Monday, but then they did do something on one of my upper arms too with needles, but it was only under the first layer of skin so not a big deal.