Concierge paediatric allergy · UK
Oral food challenge - the gold-standard answer when tests disagree.
For children whose allergy tests and history do not fully agree, and families who need certainty before nursery, school or nut-free travel. A resus-equipped clinic, a consultant paediatric allergist and adrenaline on the table.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant paediatric allergist, not a generalist
Named consultants on the GMC specialist register with paediatric allergy fellowship training.
- 02
Skin prick, IgE and a written plan the same day
A single visit that leaves you with a diagnosis and a plan the school nurse can act on.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no hospital, so the recommendation - clinic, test, treatment - is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private oral food challenge costs in the UK.
In short
Oral food challenge in our network: £600–£1,200 per food, done in half a day.
| Item | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-challenge consultation | £250–£450 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| Single-food oral challenge | £600–£1,200 | Half day | Same visit |
| Baked egg / baked milk challenge | £600–£900 | Half day | Same visit |
| Peanut / tree nut challenge | £800–£1,400 | Half day | Same visit |
| Two-food challenge (paired) | £1,000–£1,800 | Full day | Same visit |
| Rescue treatment costs (included) | Included | - | Same visit |
| Post-challenge review + plan | Included | 20 min | Same visit |
The problem
A resus-equipped clinic, a consultant on the floor, and adrenaline on the table.
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The gold-standard test
When history and IgE disagree, only a supervised food challenge gives a real answer.
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Resus-equipped clinic, consultant on the floor
Anaphylaxis pathway, adrenaline drawn up, paediatric-trained team throughout.
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A plan for whatever the result is
Passing, failing partway through, and inconclusive - each has a follow-up plan.
The journey
From enquiry to follow-up - what happens, in order.
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Age, symptoms, suspected triggers, previous reactions and medications.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right paediatric allergist, indicative price, and whether testing or a challenge fits.
- 03
Before
Pre-clinic prep
Non-sedating antihistamines stopped 3–5 days beforehand; asthma inhalers continued; eczema stabilised.
- 04
On the day
Consultation and history
A detailed history from parent and child, then a targeted examination.
- 05
On the day
Testing on the same visit
Skin prick, specific IgE blood draw or component testing - the right test for the story.
- 06
On the day
Written plan and rescue medication
A BSACI-style management plan, prescriptions, EpiPen training if needed.
- 07
After
Follow-up and re-testing
Review in weeks or months as appropriate; re-testing every 1–2 years for likely-to-resolve allergies.
When it helps
When oral food challenge is the right step.
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IgE and history disagree
A positive IgE without a clear reaction history - a challenge answers whether it is real.
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Before a food ladder step-up
Baked egg or baked milk before advancing home reintroduction.
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Before nursery or school placement
A definitive result changes the school plan and reduces anxiety.
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Fading peanut or nut allergy
When component testing suggests risk has dropped.
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Suspected pollen-food syndrome
To confirm the trigger and severity of oral symptoms.
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Re-testing after a period on OIT
To confirm and quantify tolerance developed.
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Not for severe recent anaphylaxis
A very recent reaction usually means waiting and re-testing later.
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Red flag: airway swelling, breathlessness or collapse
Adrenaline first, 999 second. Every family with a diagnosed allergy needs to be clear on this.
Options
Types of food challenge and when each is used.
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Open oral food challenge
The commonest - patient and clinician both know what is being given.
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Single-blind challenge
Patient blinded, useful when subjective symptoms cloud interpretation.
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Double-blind placebo-controlled challenge
The research gold standard - used clinically for complex cases.
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Baked egg / baked milk challenge
Muffin-based, standardised doses - the classic ladder decision point.
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Peanut challenge
Graded escalating doses over several hours.
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Tree nut challenge
One nut at a time, using culinary form.
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Wheat challenge
Sometimes exercise-augmented for WDEIA work-up.
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Fresh fruit and vegetable prick-to-prick + challenge
For pollen-food syndrome patterns.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of specialists, we picked them.
- Consultant paediatric allergists on the GMC specialist register
- On-site skin prick testing with paediatric-trained nurses
- Resus-equipped rooms for oral food challenges and immunotherapy
- Direct access to paediatric dietetics and respiratory paediatrics
Safety and recovery
What to expect - honestly.
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Small but real anaphylaxis risk
Any positive challenge risks anaphylaxis - the reason every case is in a resus-equipped clinic.
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Graded dosing minimises risk
Doses escalate every 15–30 minutes with observation.
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Observation after the top dose
Usually 2 hours of observation after the final dose.
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Asthma control is essential
Uncontrolled asthma means postponing the challenge.
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Recent infection or eczema flare
Postpone if the child is unwell or badly flared.
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Adrenaline may be given
Every family is briefed on the possibility and the rescue plan.
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Late reactions
A small percentage of children react hours after leaving the clinic.
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A negative challenge is not always the end
Some children need home introduction to confirm long-term tolerance.
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Red flag: airway swelling, breathlessness or collapse
Adrenaline first, 999 second. Every family with a diagnosed allergy needs to be clear on this.
Your notes
Your report in four parts.
- Header
Food challenged and reason
Which food was challenged and what question the challenge was answering.
- Technique
Dose schedule and observation
Escalating doses, timing and observation periods.
- Findings
Reaction pattern and treatment
Objective and subjective symptoms, and any rescue medication.
- Impression
Diagnosis and plan
Read this first: allergic or tolerant, dose limits and home introduction plan.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Paediatric allergy is available on the NHS but 6–18 months waits are typical for a first specialist appointment; it is usually covered by private insurers when medically indicated.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about oral food challenge.
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When is an oral food challenge needed?
When history and allergy testing do not agree, before advancing a food ladder (baked egg or milk), before nursery or school placement in a nut-allergic child, or after a period on oral immunotherapy to confirm tolerance.
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What does the challenge involve?
A pre-challenge check that the child is well and asthma is controlled, then escalating doses of the food every 15–30 minutes with careful observation. If a reaction happens the challenge is stopped and treated. If not, a full portion is given and the child is observed for another 2 hours before going home.
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How much does an oral food challenge cost privately in the UK?
Roughly £600–£1,200 for a single-food challenge, £800–£1,400 for peanut or tree nut and £1,000–£1,800 for a paired two-food day. The pre-challenge consultation is £250–£450.
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Is oral food challenge available on the NHS?
Yes, in paediatric allergy clinics, but waits can be many months and slot availability limits how many families can be booked.
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How safe is it?
Safe when done in a resus-equipped paediatric allergy clinic with a consultant on the floor. Anaphylaxis is possible in any positive challenge and the clinic is set up to treat it immediately.
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Do we need to stop antihistamines first?
Yes - non-sedating antihistamines are usually stopped 3–5 days before, and other medications may need pausing. The clinic will send a specific pre-challenge letter.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Paediatric allergy testing
Consultant paediatric allergy work-up with same-visit results.
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Skin prick allergy testing
Quick, safe first-line test for foods and aeroallergens.
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Oral food challenge
Gold-standard test in a resus-equipped clinic.
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Anaphylaxis + EpiPen training
Practical training for parents, carers and schools.
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Sublingual immunotherapy
Long-term treatment for hay fever and dust mite.
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All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.