Having allergy tests next week for my hideous excema. (it flares up with hayfever)
Been told I can't use antihistamines for a week prior to the tests. My hayfever is going mad. It's dreadful and my eyes are so sore. Is there anything I can do that doesn't involve antihistamines?
Have you got any eye drops or nasal spray?
Bath your eyes with cold water, use eye drops (may have to check if you can use them with your medical team). Wear wrap around sunglasses and try and avoid going out during periods of high pollen/weed. Wash your hair to remove pollen and change your clothes to prevent pollen comming indoors. Get someone else to mow the grass....
If you are really suffering with it speak to your medical team as they may have suggestions, also they may be able to do the tests when your hayfever is not so bad or do RAST testing rather than skin prick tests.
Aww thanks for your replies.
I'm having patch testing done on my back. Up to 40 discs placed on my back and I have to go mon, wed and fri to hosp to carry it out. Not looking forward to it. My feet and legs are so disfigured with excema and are now soooo itchy without the antihistamines!!
Roll on this time next week and it'll be over and I can start popping the pills again!!
What's rast test?
RAST testing uses a blood sample to test for allergies. It's often used if they suspect very severe reactions (i.e. anaphylaxis), rather than exposing the person to the allergen directly. It only picks up certain types of allergic/inflammatory reactions (IgE mediated, I think), but is a good approximation if direct testing isn't an option.
Hope the time passes quickly, and you can get back to your medications asap! I also hope that the allergy testing is helpful in forming a plan for the future to improve things for you.
Jo
Hi Emily,
I went through this last week, you have all my sympathy. My eczema was flaring before I stopped as well. RAST tests are blood tests that they can do without you stopping the antihisamines. The results take a few weeks to come through (as opposed to less than 1/2 hr for the skin prick tests).
My GP said it was ok for me to use antihistamine eye drops. He may've been ok for me to use a steroid nose spray as well but wants me to try to stay away from more of that. My nose wasn't badly affected so I didn't have to worry about it anyway. You might want to check with your out of hours GP (do this before using anything I'm no medical expert!).
I stayed inside with the curtains and windows closed. Lots of chocolate ice cream and was loaded up with stuff to do from work to keep me occupied.
Good luck!
Oh wow thanks for replies.
Mydaughter had a rasp test then has her allergy tests were bloods that took a few weeks. Mine aren't goin to be simple skin prick tests unfortunately! Apparently I'm to have the discs put in place on my back on Monday covered with a huge dressing. Then u go back we'd forthe discs to be taken off and my skin to be marked with pen then I go back fri to see what ha happened and what marks have erupted!!!!
I have to say I'm not looking forward to it at all. I've had skin prick tests in the past but this sounds so long winded. I can't bath or shower for a week as can't interfer with test on my back. I wish it was a simple one appointment with a simple answer but I guess that's never the case with atopy! 
Today's been a nightmare as my husband decided to mow the grass!! That, in combination with no anti histamines was hell! I'm now itching and sneezing!!!! X
Hey emilyvaseline tojnd eyes and nose after washing and frequently removed snd refreshed can help trsp pollen etc
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