AboutKathleen MacNaughton Expertise As a registered nurse and health educator, as well as a person living with nasal allergies, eczema, allergic asthma, and eye allergies, I can answer questions related to allergy symptoms, triggers, diagnosis, and treatment.
Experience I have lived with severe nasal, eye, and skin allergies all of my life. I also have allergic asthma. In addition, I have been an RN for more than 30 years and have spent the last 10 years as a consumer health educator, both offline and online, specializing in the areas of allergies and asthma.
Publications About.com (asthma), HealthCentral.com (asthma and allergy networks), RhinocortAqua.com, EverydayKidz.com
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Syracuse University.
Question Hi there,
First of all, thank you for sharing your expertise. I have suffered allergies my whole life. Ten yrs ago I had skin tests that showed dust to be my number one sensitivity. We moved to AZ two yrs ago and I am miserable. I just went to an allergist today and was tested and my test results for dust were negative. Is it possible to overcome an allergy like that or could the test have been improperly administered? I have never had allergy shots and have simply used Zyrtec for yrs. The nurse who did my skin test was an older woman who I would assume had lots of experience. I barely felt her poking me, but I had lots of reactions to grasses and trees, etc. I just remember the nurse 10 yrs ago mashing those things in my back. When I dust my house I wear a mask because if I don't I sneeze constantly. I am just kind of baffled. I did test positive for dust mites, but it is soooo dry here that that is not a problem for me right now.
Answer Hi Carol,
I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. Allergies can change over time, so yes, it IS possible that your sensitivity to dust mites could have changed. I was a bit confused by your notes, though. Near the top you say your test results for dust were negative, but then near the end, you say you did test positive for dust mites, but that it's not a problem for you.
So, I'm not entirely sure what your question is. Feel free to reply & clarify, if needed.
On the other hand, allergy test results are not always 100% accurate. They do generally give a lot of clues to sensitivities, but false-positives (and probably false-negatives) are possible. Methods of administration may have changed as well.
Perhaps you would feel better if you got a second opinion from a different allergist?
