ADHD and Allergy Testing

There are two popular ways to test an ADHD child for allergies, the Vega Method and in the Needle Method.

VEGA testing

Testing with the VEGA machine has its origins in acupuncture and homeopathy.

It is based on the concept that the first sign of abnormality in the body is an electrical charge and, if abnormal electrical charges continue for long, then structural changes will follow.

In VEGA testing the patient holds an electrode (brass tube) in the right hand while the practitioner presses a pointed probe against an acupoint, preferably on the left foot.

The body's reaction to potential allergens, etc. is measured by inserting the agents into the electrical circuit one at a time.

VEGA testing enables an experienced practitioner to quickly obtain information about many of the stress factors that come from the environment.

These factors, which may be overlooked in normal medical testing, can be responsible for many conditions of chronic illness, unexplainable conditions, conditions in which conventional testing finds nothing wrong, vague or unusual symptoms, and failure to respond to treatment.

It allows early detection of tendencies toward diseases, toxicity and imbalances due to stress before they become noticeable.

No needles are used in this testing.

Needle testing

Needle testing on the other hand involves pricking the skin with a solution of the suspected food.

This method uses a drop of each allergen to be tested which is placed on the skin, usually on the forearm or the back.

The area is examined for the next twenty minutes for any trace of swelling and redness, which would show a positive reaction.

A positive test will produce a small hive like reaction.

Needle testing may be inexpensive, but it is uncomfortable.

For children with eczema or other skin conditions, the results may be difficult to interpret.

In children with severe allergies, even the small amount of the food injected into the skin can cause significant reactions.

Another problem with skin tests is that in order for them to be truly reliable, the patient cannot take any antihistamines for about two weeks before the test.

For children who suffer from bad hay fever or other allergies, two weeks without antihistamines may be impossible.

Also if a child is allergic to twenty different substances it means twenty needle pokes!

A new needle is used for each prick.

Why is continued testing important for an AD-HD child?

As your ADHD child grows and develops, body chemicals can change consequently, reactions to foods can also alter.

Repeated tests may be necessary to check the first result.

When your ADHD child has tested positive for several foods, you ought to eliminate all of those foods from the diet.

Constant monitoring of all situations and circumstances is important to ascertain what the best course of action for your ADHD child in any area is; food allergy testing is no different.