Allergy Testing

An allergy is best described as the body’s immune system overreacting to normally harmless substances, aggravating the sense of smell, sight, tastes and touch, causing irritation, extreme disability and sometimes fatality.

Allergic reactions are caused by substances known as allergens. The most common ones are pollen from trees and grasses, house dust mite, moulds, pets such as cats and dogs, insects like wasps and bees, medicines, and foods such as milk and eggs. Less common allergens include nuts, fruit and latex.

Common symptoms of allergy include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and ears, severe wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, sinus problems, a sore palate and nettle-like rash. When asthma, eczema, headaches, lethargy, loss of concentration and sensitivity to everyday foods such as cheese, fish and fruit are taken into account the full scale of allergy can be appreciated.

The frequency, severity of symptoms and parts of body affected are all useful indicators as to the possible causes of allergy. Family history and environmental links are other important indicators.

The Test Procedure

Testing is a three stage process;

• Completion of a Clinical History Questionnaire
• Fingerprick testing to mixtures of inhalant and food allergens
• Testing to individual allergens to obtain specific IgE results
• Referral correspondence to GP as appropriate