How do doctors do the allergy testing now days?

The allergen is pricked or scratched into the skins surface, forearm or behind the arm. It generally takes approx. 20 minutes to get results.
It's more annoying than it is painful. But of course she's 3, so it might be a little painful for her.

For me, they just took blood and ran a blood panel. It wasn't that big of a deal.

go to a dermatoloigist 1st. the one i used to work for did patch tests. we'd place a big patch on patient's backs and tape it on. it had to be left on for 2 days and the patient would come back and we'd take the patch off and let the doctor give the results. call around and see if they do patch tests in your area. GL to your little one

In our area they start with a full blood panel, then based on those results they may do prick/scratch testing. Keep in mind at three it is kind of hit and miss as far as accuracy goes- you could get spot on results, false positives, or like my older dd false negatives. Testing method and results are something best discussed with an allergist- ours has not done prick tests just because of her false negative to the blood test, he feels it is too risky since she showed no immunoglobulin response at all, but has documented allergic reactions that show a progression- his concern is that she could have a severe reaction to a prick item that she has never been directly exposed to.

We observe her for reactions and if she has any reactions to new things or old, they get cut. Allergist says we should be able to see results from testing by the time she is five.

Did you go yet?

There are different kinds of testing and different doctor's will opt for different kinds. DD has multiple food allergies and some environmental allergies. She's done both blood tests and an SPT (Skin prick test.) When she was younger or the tests were more numerous, the SPT was done on her back. The last time our scoop of test was smaller and she was 7 - the test was done on her forearm. It's not that the test itself is painful but the serum must remain on the spot for a duration of time. *IF* you react to it, it can itch and you cannot scratch it, you can not wipe it, you cannot do anything. It can become that "itches so bad it hurts" type things. We've also done blood tests - it's a simple draw. How many vials they take will depend on how much they are testing for. DD hates both tests but she's getting better at putting up with them.

SCOPE not scoop. ROFL! Oops.

You're best bet is to ask the allergist office what they'll be doing. There are some studies that indicate a higher risk of false positives in blood testing and others that say your risk of a false read is higher in skin testing. Different allergist have different methods and preferences. Some won't test under a certain age. Others will. DD had both SPT and blood work done at 2 years old. Both were positive reads and supported the reaction she had. Big picture is that reactions always trump results.