How do they do an allergy test on a 3 month old child?

[Alyssa's mommy]

Hello. My daughter is almost 3 months old and exclusively breastfed. She's been having really bad diarrhea that isn't going away so they are going to do some kind of allergy test.

For those who have had this done to their child before, how do they do it? Do they test her stools, or her blood, or my milk, or? Is it a long process? Expensive? Does insurance cover it? The doctor didn't tell me to bring anything in (like a diaper or pumped milk) so I have no idea what they plan on doing...

[r&s mom]

I would pack a diaper bag and a bottle. It will probably be a blood test. At 3 months the may take the blood out of the bottom of her foot. She probably isn't old enough for them to tap a vein

[HealthyKidTips]

I'm a little surprised they want to do "allergy testing" in a baby this age. There are skin prick tests, where a small amount of allergy "juice" is introduced into the skin with a tiny needle prick (often about 10 - 20 things are tested - like dust mites, pollen, milk, shellfish, peanuts, etc). And there is RAST testing which is a blood test. Both tests are difficult to interpret in young children. A colonoscopy could be done to take a tiny biopsy to look for inflammatory cells under a microscope... but is rarely necessary. Typically, taking milk, peanuts, shellfish, etc out of the MOTHER's diet is enough to improve the symptoms. Good luck!

[Kris B]

They may test a mixture of these things. I know for older children, they put a tiny drop of food stuff on their arm or leg and wait about 30 mins to see if it develops into anything. they may keep baby in hospital overnight, so I would take some clothing and lots of nappies.
Not sure about the cost. Why dont you ring the doctor and find out the details. Most of all - dont worry!

[Hannah's mommy]

My daughter had allergy tests done, but the earliest that the doctor would do it was 9 months, even at that age they said the tests are not 100% reliable.
My ped. sent us to a ped. allergist for the skin poke test. They poked her back w/ different allergens and waited to see how they would react.

I am curious why they are doing an allergy test just for diarrhea. I would call your doctor back and ask what kind of test they are doing and if you need to bring anything in.