Arm Pricks

Today I have been to the Allergy Clinic at The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital for what I thought would be some quick skin prick tests. It turned out I was there for five hours!

On my left arm (top picture) they tested me for ten common contact allergies such as cat, dog, house dust mite, grass, pollen etc. As you can see I reacted to most of them, the worst being cat, house dust mite, dog, pollen, grass and silver birch (tree). None of these were a huge surprise to me as I had the same test about ten years ago and not much has changed.

Having spoken with the Allergist about my history, he proceeded to run ten more skin prick tests on my right arm (bottom photo), this time for foods that have been causing me problems. Unsurprisingly I showed up as being highly allergic to dairy (I already know I am very ill when I eat dairy) however I was surprised to find out I also showed positive to peanut. I don't eat peanut much anyway although the few times that I have, I did have a slightly itchy mouth.

Although I have never presented symptoms of anaphylaxis I do carry two epipens with me as a precaution. One of the nurses very kindly refreshed my memory and demonstrated how to administer them should the situation arise.

I was very impressed with how I was treated today despite the process taking up most of my day. They managed to fit me in to see a nutritionist too (even though I didn't have an appointment) who was very thorough and sent me home with a pile of information sheets and useful advice/things to try (far too much to bore you with/write here!).