Allergy testing in London (skin !!!!! testing)

cashbackproblems

hi

im looking for a private clinic in london which does testing for allergies and wondered on any recommendations? The only type of test im looking for is the blood test/skin !!!!! one where they see if you react to certain foods as opposed to the ones which ask for strand of hair etc.

My doc recommended this but didnt know any clinics, and he cant refer me as id have to go through a derm specialist and that whole process could take 6 months, so better to go private

The cheapest iv found via google is £160 which seems too steep!

thanks

jenniewb

Lol as the word beginning with p and ending in K has been deleted!

Have you been to your GP? If you feel you have an allergy (rather then an intolerance) they may be willing to help you as allergies can be life threatening. I'd be concerned over testing that wasn't in some way backed by the NHS as there seems to be little in the way of monitoring what is and isn't a false reading, a few years ago Superdrug offered testing and it was shut down only when Watchdog did an investigation and onbe researcher found several different allergies and intolerances with each test she took over a few consecutive days. The testing firm as far as I am aware were still in business even when Superdrug dropped them. It would appear even fraudulent tests can scam the bigger businesses so make sure to research well and not just go on straight links or soley via recommendations however well intended.

LWIF

Allergy tests can become costly depending on how many allergens are tested. If you keep a diary and note symptoms and exposure to allergens (foods, grasses, trees, animals etc) then go to your GP, discuss and ask for 'Rast' tests. It's an old term use for the blood allergy test and many local hospital labs will do these for the GP's.

hethmar

Im surprised that if your GP said you needed this you havent been given a NHS appointment?

angelil

My dad had this but I don't know how much it cost. All I know is that is was expensive and extremely extensive. However, the test is effective: he went to find out what substances he may be allergic to as totally random foods were making his face swell up (to quite epic proportions!). The results seemed totally off the wall (apricots, almonds, certain E numbers, carrots...) but he stopped eating these and the attacks stopped overnight. So depending on how much you are suffering I would argue that even if it is £160 it is probably worth it (I don't think it is available on the NHS). I am considering having it done myself as I have suffered with acne for 15 years and having tried everything else I am beginning to wonder if it is food intolerance(s) causing it.

Hermia

hethmar wrote: »

Im surprised that if your GP said you needed this you havent been given a NHS appointment?

Where I live the NHS don't fund allergy testing unless you are in serious danger from an allergy. Last year my ezcema started going mad and my head swelled up on a few occasions (which was lovely...). My doctor thought it was a food allergy, but because I didn't have anaphylactic shock the NHS won't fund the testing.

LWIF

New NHS NICE guidelines came out in Feb this year which may help. It is possible that some PCT's and GP's haven't actioned as yet.
Unfortunately, as a newbie I cannot post links but you can search google for new NICE allergy guidelines Feb 2011

Just out of curiosity which NHS or PCT region are you in?

UKallergyCOM

ISAC is a screening component IgE test to 112 allergens (food and aero-allergens) all in one test. It comes around 8 times cheaper than usual blood test for the same number of allergens.