Allergy Testing

Ok so you would think i would have a clue about all of this being that so many of Sam's cousins have food allergys, but it seems I don't!
We always figured Sam might have food allergies just because 3 out of 6 cousins do and they run so strongly in DH's family, but the proof came on Sunday when she stole a Mother earth muesli bar (Anzac I think) from her little friend Alex. She swelled up like a little balloon and her face, chest, arms, hands etc were covered in hives in a matter of minutes!
I have no idea what the reaction was actually too though as the list of ingredients was huge, and there was heaps of stuff she hadn't had before. Could have been as simple as egg though.

Anyway, after that big ramble, what should my next step be? My GP has already made noises about scratch tests once she is old enough, but is there anything I should be doing (apart from keeping her on a restricted diet) in the meantime? I don't want to find out the hard way that she has severe allergys!

Josh last week just had a blood test and 2 lots of skin prick tests done. It was hard but we did 1 on each day over a few days. I would go to your gp and ask them when they think you should have it done. Josh is 2 weeks off being 1 and it was fine to do it then.

Alize didnt even cry with his blood test either and his vein was pumping out the blood.

We have the scratch test coming up but after talking to Aunty Emma I am sure he will be fine. I mean Mercedes not crying has gotta say something

I think you are doing all  you can Mum2sam and just continue as is, while avoiding all high risk foods like the plague!

Aw that's not great news about her reactions, Sterryn.  That sux for ya.  Well, welcome to the Food-Label-Nazi's, we're not really that scary a bunch!  I'd say you're definantly on the right track with making all her foods yourself for now.  Also, I found Only Organics brand great for when I wanted a jar of baby food - their whole range isn't allergy-friendly but half of them are it seems, and if you contact the company (they have a website), they can send you a handy list of which ones are free of which allergens.  Keep the labels of anything she's reacted to if you can, as you might see a pattern of common ingredients.  And hey, the RAST test (blood test) is made a whole lot easier if you ask to be sent an emla patch to put on beforehand - leaves bubs so numb on the site that they really do only feel a little prick.  Ella had 2 needles put in for hers, and the difference between the site where the emla had worked and the other one was huge.  I wouldn't say Sam's too young for one - we were told they become more reliable after the child is a year old, but after our results came back were also told that they're not so reliable anyway, more that they give you an indication of what's what. 

Jam & Marmite together! Is that another NZ thing? I don't get it - BLAHG