Patient guide · Allergy testing menu
Allergy tests, the modern menu — skin prick, specific IgE, patch testing, challenges and component diagnostics.
The complete modern menu of allergy tests. From skin-prick testing and specific IgE blood tests to patch testing and supervised food challenges. Choose the right test for your suspected trigger — always interpreted by a consultant allergist alongside your clinical history.
Why patients choose us
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The right hands
We route you to a consultant allergist — the specialist who chooses the test, interprets it and writes your plan.
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Often answers same-day
Skin-prick and patch readings can be discussed on the day, with the written report to follow.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
What the modern allergy menu actually is.
Six things to know before you book — the definition, when each method wins, and why interpretation matters more than any single result.
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Definition
A menu of investigations for suspected IgE and non-IgE allergy — skin, blood, patch and challenge.
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Skin-prick testing
Fast and sensitive for aeroallergens and foods — result at 15 minutes.
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Specific IgE blood testing
Safe with antihistamines or active eczema — measured in serum.
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Patch testing
The standard investigation for contact dermatitis — read at 48 and 96 hours.
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Supervised food or drug challenge
The diagnostic gold-standard when history and testing leave doubt.
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Choose test by symptom pattern
The right modality is decided by clinical history, not by test availability.
The problem
An allergy test is only as good as the specialist choosing it.
A positive skin prick or specific IgE without a matching clinical history is sensitisation, not allergy — the wrong test can send you down years of unnecessary avoidance. We route you to a consultant allergist who chooses the right method for your story.
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Suspected food allergy?
Skin prick or specific IgE first — component diagnostics or supervised challenge if the answer is not clear.
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Rash from a new product?
Patch testing to the European baseline series, cosmetics and site-specific panels.
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Reaction to a medication?
Structured drug allergy work-up — history, specific IgE where available, intradermal and provocation testing.
Preparation and pathway
From enquiry to plan — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to written management plan — often within days.
Phase 1 · Before testing
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Testing at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Report and plan
- 01
Before
Detailed allergy history
A short, confidential form — symptoms, triggers, timing, medications, atopy and any reaction history.
- 02
Before
Consultant allergist assessment
A specialist reviews the story and decides which test — skin prick, blood, patch or challenge — actually answers your question.
- 03
Before
Choose test modality
Skin prick, specific IgE blood, patch, component diagnostics, or supervised challenge — matched to your presentation.
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On the day
Stop antihistamines 5 days before
Antihistamines suppress skin-prick reactions. Blood testing is unaffected — a useful alternative if you cannot stop.
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On the day
Same-day result for skin prick and patch reading
Skin-prick wheals are measured at 15 minutes; patch tests are read at 48 and 96 hours.
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After
Blood results within 5–7 working days
Specific IgE and component panels are reported by the laboratory, then interpreted alongside your history.
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After
Structured management plan
Written plan: avoidance, rescue medication, adrenaline auto-injector if indicated, and immunotherapy or challenge if appropriate.
Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks. Blood results back: 5–7 working days.
The test menu
The modern menu — and when each test is right.
Each test answers a slightly different question. These are the modalities a consultant allergist chooses between, and the presentations they suit.
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Skin-prick test — foods, aeroallergens
Fast, sensitive first-line for suspected IgE allergy to foods, pollens, animals and house-dust mite.
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Intradermal test — drugs, venom
A more sensitive skin test used for drug hypersensitivity and insect venom allergy.
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Specific IgE blood test — foods, aeroallergens, drugs
Safe with antihistamines, eczema or dermatographism — measures allergen-specific IgE in serum.
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Component-resolved diagnostics — peanut, nut, wheat
Molecular allergen components (e.g. Ara h 2, Cor a 14, omega-5-gliadin) distinguish true risk from cross-reactivity.
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Patch test — contact dermatitis
The standard investigation for delayed contact allergy — metals, fragrances, preservatives, rubber, hair-dye.
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Supervised food challenge — gold-standard
Graded, monitored oral challenge in a resuscitation-equipped clinic — the diagnostic gold-standard for food allergy.
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Drug provocation test
Controlled re-exposure to a suspect drug when history and testing leave doubt — the definitive answer for drug allergy.
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Red flag: any test performed in a setting without resuscitation capability — insist on a specialist allergy clinic.
Skin, intradermal and challenge testing must be done where anaphylaxis can be treated. Do not accept less.
Next steps
What follows a positive test — the management plan.
The report is not the end. Every diagnosis comes with a written plan and, when indicated, prescriptions and onward referral.
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Allergen avoidance plan
Written, allergen-specific avoidance advice — labelling, eating out, cross-contact, environmental measures.
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Adrenaline auto-injector prescription
Prescription, training and a personalised anaphylaxis action plan for patients at risk.
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Antihistamines and nasal steroids
First-line pharmacotherapy for rhinoconjunctivitis, urticaria and mild reactions.
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Asthma optimisation
Poorly controlled asthma is the biggest predictor of severe reaction — reviewed and optimised at the same visit.
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Immunotherapy referral (SLIT / SCIT)
Sublingual or subcutaneous desensitisation for grass, tree, house-dust mite and selected venom allergies.
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Supervised food or drug challenge
Graded oral challenge in a monitored setting when the diagnosis needs to be confirmed or excluded.
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Onward dermatology for contact dermatitis
Where patch testing confirms contact allergy, we route to dermatology for ongoing management.
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Follow-up with consultant allergist
A written summary and a follow-up review to check response, adjust the plan and reissue prescriptions.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of allergy clinics, we picked them.
Consultant-led allergy services across central London — always in resuscitation-equipped premises. Not listed publicly; introductions are made privately once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every allergy clinic in our network.
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Consultant allergists (adult or paediatric) working in resuscitation-equipped clinics
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Skin-prick and challenge testing to BSACI standards
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Same-day skin-prick reading, patch readings at 48 and 96 hours, blood results within 5–7 days
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Onward pathways to dermatology, respiratory and immunology as required
Safety and eligibility
The practical points — before, during and after testing.
Most allergy tests are very safe when done properly. The practical points are which method suits you, what preparation is required, and where the tests’ limits are.
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Stop antihistamines 5 days before skin prick
Antihistamines suppress the wheal — the test will read negative even when you are allergic. Blood testing is unaffected.
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Blood testing is safe with eczema
Specific IgE is measured in serum, so dermatographism or active skin disease does not interfere with the result.
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Testing must be in a resuscitation setting
Skin prick, intradermal and challenge testing can trigger reactions — the clinic must be able to treat anaphylaxis.
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No test in isolation is the answer
A positive test without a matching clinical history is sensitisation, not allergy. Interpretation is the whole point of seeing a specialist.
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Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency
If you have had a systemic reaction, do not wait for a private slot — 999. Investigation comes after stabilisation.
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Poorly controlled asthma is the biggest risk
Asthma must be reviewed and optimised before challenge testing or immunotherapy is considered.
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Component diagnostics refine — they do not replace history
Molecular components (e.g. Ara h 2) sharpen risk estimation, but the history still decides the plan.
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Patch test — do not wet the back for 48 hours
Panels are worn for 48 hours, read at 48 and 96 hours. Avoid showers, exercise and sun on the test area.
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Bring prior results and reaction photos
Previous blood results, discharge letters and photos of any reactions materially sharpen the assessment.
Red-flag presentations — book with a consultant allergist
- Anaphylaxis history
- Drug hypersensitivity syndrome
- Insect venom systemic reaction
- Occupational allergy
- Latex allergy in healthcare workers
- Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis
- Idiopathic anaphylaxis
- Systemic mastocytosis
- Poorly controlled asthma with allergy
Reading your report
An allergy report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
A positive test without a matching history is sensitisation, not allergy.
The number matters less than the pattern. If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Presentation and reaction history
Your symptoms, timing, suspected triggers and any prior reactions — the clinical anchor for interpretation.
- 02 Technique
Tests performed and controls
Which allergens were tested, by which method, with positive and negative controls documented.
- 03 Findings
Wheal sizes, sIgE levels, component results
Numerical results for skin prick (mm wheal), specific IgE (kU/L) and components — allergen by allergen.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Confirmed allergies, sensitisations without allergy, avoidance advice and the concrete next step.
Sources
- British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI). Standards for the practice of allergy.
- NICE. Anaphylaxis: assessment and referral after emergency treatment (CG134) and related allergy guidance.
- European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI). Molecular allergology user’s guide.
- Royal College of Pathologists. Standards for laboratory allergy testing.
Last reviewed 2026-07-30. Next review 2027-07-30. Reading time approx. 8 minutes.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about allergy tests.
Quick answers on which test to choose, antihistamines, component diagnostics, food challenges and patch testing.
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Which allergy test do I need?
It depends on the suspected trigger and the type of reaction. IgE-mediated food and aeroallergen allergy is investigated with skin-prick or specific IgE blood testing; contact dermatitis needs patch testing; drug and venom allergy often need intradermal or challenge testing. A consultant allergist chooses the right modality after taking your history.
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Do I need to stop antihistamines before an allergy test?
Yes — for skin-prick and intradermal testing, antihistamines are stopped 5 days before. Blood testing (specific IgE) is unaffected by antihistamines and is a useful alternative if you cannot stop them.
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What is component-resolved diagnostics?
CRD measures IgE to individual molecular allergen components rather than the whole allergen extract. For peanut, Ara h 2 predicts genuine risk of anaphylaxis; for hazelnut, Cor a 14; for wheat exercise-induced anaphylaxis, omega-5-gliadin. It sharpens risk estimation and reduces unnecessary avoidance.
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Is a food challenge safe?
A supervised food challenge is safe when performed in a specialist allergy clinic with resuscitation capability and a consultant allergist present. It is the diagnostic gold-standard when history and testing leave the diagnosis uncertain.
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How long does patch testing take?
Patch panels are applied to the back and worn for 48 hours, then read at 48 hours and again at 96 hours (day 4). You cannot get the test area wet or exercise heavily during that window.
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When should I see a GP or A&E urgently instead?
Any systemic reaction — throat swelling, breathing difficulty, collapse, widespread urticaria with cardiovascular symptoms — is a 999 call, not a private appointment. Investigation and long-term planning come after stabilisation.
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In practice, in London
Why private allergy tests moves differently in London
With allergy tests, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. Public provision for allergy tests is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.
A private allergy tests pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. The consultants we work with hold NHS posts alongside their private lists, which keeps the standards consistent across both settings. For allergy tests specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
The value of going through a concierge for allergy tests isn’t access — anyone with an insurer or a credit card can get a private appointment in London. The value is knowing which consultant reads this particular presentation best, which unit turns reports around fastest, and which pathway won’t hit a dead end if the findings point somewhere unexpected.