Concierge allergy testing · London
Private allergy testing in London, interpreted by a consultant allergist.
The right test for your symptoms — skin prick, specific IgE or component-resolved diagnostics — interpreted by an allergist against your history. Because a positive result is not always a clinical allergy.
Why patients choose us
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A consultant allergist, not a lab printout
You get a specialist who reads results against your symptom history — because a positive test is not always a clinical allergy.
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The right test for the question
Skin prick, specific IgE, component-resolved diagnostics, patch testing or challenge — we recommend what actually helps you.
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Anaphylaxis-ready throughout
BSACI-affiliated allergists in CQC-registered clinics with the drugs, kit and training to handle a serious reaction.
Indicative pricing
What private allergy testing costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner allergists, clinics and immunology laboratories. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Skin prick test with a consultant allergist: £350–£650, with results read in the same visit.
| Test or panel | Indicative range | Appointment time | Results turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin prick test (SPT) — targeted panel | £200–£400 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| SPT with allergist consultation | £350–£650 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
| Specific IgE blood panel (basic 10–20 allergens) | £180–£400 | 5–10 min | 3–7 days |
| Component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) | £300–£650 | 5–10 min | 5–10 days |
| Food challenge (open or blinded) | £700–£1,400 | Half-day | Same visit |
| Drug or venom testing (specialist) | £500–£1,200 | 60–90 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by allergist, the size of the panel, whether component-resolved diagnostics are added, and whether a supervised challenge is needed. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
A positive test alone is not a diagnosis.
Direct-to-consumer allergy panels sell certainty they cannot deliver. Sensitisation on a test does not always mean clinical allergy — and the wrong avoidance plan can cause more harm than the allergen. This is why a consultant allergist matters.
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Not sure which test?
Skin prick, specific IgE, CRD, patch or challenge — we recommend what actually answers your question.
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Worried about a reaction?
A specialist decides if you need an EpiPen and how to avoid triggers, without over-restricting your diet.
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Been told your test is "positive"?
A raised IgE alone is not enough. We interpret it against your symptom history — the part that matters.
The journey
From enquiry to a written plan — what happens, in order.
One consultant allergist from first message to management plan — usually within one to two weeks.
Phase 1 · Before your test
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
45–60 minutes with the allergist
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us the story
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, triggers, previous reactions, and what you want to understand.
- 02
Before
We recommend the right test
Within one working day: skin prick, specific IgE, CRD, patch or challenge — with a firm quote.
- 03
Before
We book you in
Consultant allergist appointment, often same or next week. We tell you which medicines to stop and when.
- 04
On the day
History, examination, testing
The allergist takes a full history, examines you, and does the skin prick test or blood draw — usually all in one visit.
- 05
On the day
Results interpreted in context
Skin prick results are read at 15 minutes. Blood results follow later. Interpretation is against your history, not in isolation.
- 06
After
Written plan and prescriptions
Avoidance advice, EpiPen prescription if indicated, and a management plan for hay fever, asthma or dermatitis.
- 07
After
Next steps arranged
Immunotherapy referral, food challenge, dermatology or paediatric onward care where needed.
Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks. Urgent post-anaphylaxis: within days.
What it shows
Match the right test to the right question.
Allergy tests answer very different questions. These are the reasons people come to us most.
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Food allergy work-up
Nuts, milk, egg, shellfish, wheat and more — SPT plus CRD where it changes the plan (e.g. peanut Ara h 2).
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Hay fever & seasonal allergens
Grass, tree and weed pollens — testing that supports immunotherapy decisions, not just avoidance.
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Pet dander
Cat, dog, horse and small mammal allergens — with component testing where re-homing is on the table.
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Drug allergy
Antibiotics (penicillin), NSAIDs and anaesthetic drugs — skin testing and provocation where safe.
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Wasp or bee venom
For anyone who has reacted to a sting — testing to see if venom immunotherapy is right.
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Contact dermatitis
Patch testing for cosmetics, metals, fragrances and occupational exposures — a different test to SPT.
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Anaphylaxis history
Full work-up after a serious reaction — trigger identification, EpiPen prescribing and a written plan.
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Red flags
Previous anaphylaxis, throat swelling or collapse — you need a specialist plan and an EpiPen, not a supermarket IgG test.
Test types
The tests our allergists arrange most.
What each option is actually for.
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Skin prick test (SPT)
A drop of allergen extract on the forearm, gently pricked. A raised wheal at 15 minutes suggests IgE sensitisation.
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Specific IgE blood tests
Quantitative blood measurement of IgE against specific allergens — useful when SPT is not possible.
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Component-resolved diagnostics
Tests IgE to individual allergen components (e.g. peanut Ara h 2) — sharpens risk assessment considerably.
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Patch test (contact dermatitis)
Chambers of allergens taped to the back for 48 hours, then read — the right test for eczema and cosmetic reactions.
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Oral food challenge
The gold standard: eating the food under medical supervision, in escalating doses, in an anaphylaxis-ready unit.
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Drug provocation test
Carefully graded doses of a suspect drug under supervision — the definitive test where skin testing is inconclusive.
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Venom immunotherapy work-up
Skin and blood testing to confirm bee or wasp allergy before starting a three-year desensitisation course.
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Anaphylaxis assessment + EpiPen
Structured review after a serious reaction, EpiPen prescription and training, and a written management plan.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of allergists and labs, we picked them.
BSACI-affiliated consultant allergists in CQC-registered clinics across central London, with UKAS-accredited immunology labs. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every allergist, clinic and laboratory in our network.
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CQC-registered clinics with consultant allergists (BSACI-affiliated)
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UKAS-accredited immunology laboratories for specific IgE and CRD
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Anaphylaxis-ready facilities and trained teams for food, drug and venom challenges
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Interpretation set against your symptom history — a positive test is not always a clinical allergy
Preparation and practicalities
Safe, but preparation matters.
Skin prick testing is safe, quick and low-risk when done properly — but preparation, timing and interpretation can all change the result. We tell you exactly what to do.
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Stop antihistamines
Skin prick tests require stopping antihistamines 3–7 days before, or the skin will not react. We give you a precise list.
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Steroid creams
Topical steroids on the forearm can dampen the skin response. Avoid on the test area for a week beforehand.
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Do not eat the food
For a food challenge, do not eat the suspect food that morning — but do come in fed and hydrated.
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Anaphylaxis-trained team
Food, drug and venom challenges are done only in units with the drugs, resus kit and staff to manage a serious reaction.
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Pregnancy
Skin prick testing and blood IgE are safe in pregnancy; most challenge tests are deferred until after delivery.
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Children
Children can be tested from infancy with paediatric-experienced allergists and age-appropriate panels.
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After a reaction
Venom testing is done at least 4–6 weeks after a sting reaction, once the immune system has settled.
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A positive test is not a diagnosis
Sensitisation on a test does not always mean clinical allergy. That is why history and a specialist matter.
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Quantitative, not present/absent
Specific IgE is a number, not a yes/no. The size of a wheal or the level of IgE changes how we act on it.
Reading your report
A page of numbers can look alarming. Context changes everything.
However big the panel, the report follows the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
Sensitisation is not the same as allergy — the story matters more than the number.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Your details and relevant history
Symptoms, previous reactions, medicines, and the questions the test was set up to answer.
- 02 Technique
Which panel, and by which method
The allergens tested, whether by SPT, specific IgE, CRD, patch or challenge — with the laboratory and method used.
- 03 Findings
Positive and negative results, in context
Each result with its clinical relevance — a positive result that fits your history means something different to one that does not.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Likely allergies, an avoidance plan, whether an EpiPen is needed, and any next investigations or immunotherapy.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Allergy consultations are often covered when medically indicated and pre-authorised; we confirm cover with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about allergy testing.
Quick answers on cost, referrals, children, immunotherapy, food intolerance and when to act urgently.
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Skin prick test or blood IgE — which is better?
For most inhaled and food allergens, skin prick is quicker, cheaper and read the same day. Specific IgE blood tests are useful when antihistamines cannot be stopped, when skin disease is active, or when the reaction risk from skin testing is high. Often we use both, plus component-resolved diagnostics where they change the plan.
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When is patch testing the right test?
Patch testing is for contact dermatitis — reactions to cosmetics, metals, fragrances or occupational exposures. It is a completely different test to skin prick, done over 48 hours with allergen chambers taped to the back. Skin prick and IgE tests do not diagnose contact dermatitis.
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How much does private allergy testing cost in London?
A specific IgE blood panel starts around £180. A skin prick test with a consultant allergist is £350–£650. Component-resolved diagnostics add £300–£650. Food and drug challenges, being half-day supervised procedures, are £500–£1,400.
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Do I need a referral?
Most private allergists accept self-referral. For complex cases, or where insurance is involved, a GP letter helps. We can arrange a fast-track private GP if you need one.
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Why does my history matter more than the raw results?
Sensitisation on a test — a positive skin prick or raised IgE — does not always mean clinical allergy. Plenty of people are sensitised to things they eat happily every day. A consultant allergist reads results against your symptoms, not in isolation.
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Is food intolerance the same as food allergy?
No — very different. Food allergy is an immune (IgE) reaction, sometimes life-threatening. Food intolerance is a non-immune reaction (lactose, FODMAPs, additives) that causes bloating or discomfort but not anaphylaxis. IgG "intolerance" tests sold direct-to-consumer are not clinically validated.
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How young can children be tested?
Children can be skin prick tested from infancy with paediatric-experienced allergists. Blood IgE is also safe at any age. Food challenges in young children are done in specialist units.
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Can testing help with hay fever?
Yes. Confirming the specific pollens involved supports the decision to start sublingual or subcutaneous immunotherapy — a three-year treatment course that can genuinely change the disease, not just mask symptoms.
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Will my insurance cover allergy testing?
Cover varies. Testing is usually covered when medically indicated and pre-authorised; direct-access screening is often self-funded. We check with your insurer before booking.
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When should I see a GP or A&E urgently?
Anaphylaxis — throat swelling, breathing difficulty, collapse, widespread hives with any of the above — is a 999 call, not a clinic appointment. Use an EpiPen if you have one, then call an ambulance.
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