Concierge paediatric allergy · UK
Paediatric allergy testing - clear answers for worried parents.
For babies, toddlers, children and teens with suspected food or environmental allergy. A consultant paediatric allergist, on-site skin prick and specific IgE testing, and a written management plan the same day.
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 paediatric allergy testing costs in the UK.
In short
Consult + skin prick in our network: £400–£700, plan in the same visit.
| Item | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paediatric allergy consultation | £250–£450 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
| Skin prick testing (up to 12 allergens) | £180–£350 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| Specific IgE blood panel | £180–£500 | Blood draw 15 min | 3–7 days |
| Component-resolved testing (ISAC / ALEX) | £350–£700 | Blood draw | 7–14 days |
| Oral food challenge (per food) | £600–£1,200 | Half day | Same visit |
| Follow-up allergy consultation | £150–£280 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| Anaphylaxis + EpiPen training session | £120–£220 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
The problem
A consultant paediatric allergist, the right test for the story, and a plan you leave with.
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The right test for the right story
Testing without a history is misleading. We test what the story points to, not everything on the panel.
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Skin prick and IgE on the same visit
Consultant clinic with on-site testing - no waiting weeks for a first appointment then weeks more for tests.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no hospital, so the recommendation - clinic, tests, plan - is impartial and costs you nothing.
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 paediatric allergy testing is the right step.
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Suspected food allergy in a baby or toddler
Rash, vomiting, wheeze or swelling after a specific food - this is where accurate diagnosis matters most.
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Suspected nut, sesame or seafood allergy
The commonest triggers for anaphylaxis in UK children.
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Cow’s milk protein allergy
IgE and non-IgE presentations, both worth a proper assessment.
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Egg allergy and the MMR question
Most egg-allergic children can have MMR safely - we say when hospital administration is needed.
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Eczema with suspected food trigger
Moderate-to-severe eczema in a young child - sometimes food-driven, often not.
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Hay fever and asthma control
Environmental allergies that are limiting sleep, school or sport.
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Drug reactions and antibiotic labels
Suspected penicillin or NSAID reactions - testing before the next infection matters.
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Red flag: previous anaphylaxis
A child who has had airway or breathing symptoms needs an urgent consultant plan, not a GP wait.
Options
The test depends on the child, the age and the story.
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Skin prick testing
The workhorse - quick, safe, high specificity for aeroallergens and most foods.
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Specific IgE blood panel
When skin prick is not possible - active eczema, antihistamine use, needle-averse teen.
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Component-resolved testing
ISAC or ALEX for peanut, hazelnut, wheat and shellfish - separates high-risk from low-risk sensitisation.
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Oral food challenge
The gold standard when history and testing disagree - always in a clinic with resus facilities.
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Patch testing (delayed reactions)
For contact dermatitis and some food-protein-induced enterocolitis.
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Tryptase (baseline and post-reaction)
To exclude mastocytosis and confirm anaphylaxis after a serious reaction.
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Lung function and FeNO in older children
When asthma sits alongside allergy.
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Written management + rescue plan
The output that matters - a BSACI-style plan you and school can follow.
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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Skin prick testing is very safe
Local wheal only in most children; systemic reactions are rare but rooms are resus-equipped.
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Blood tests can over-diagnose
A positive IgE without a matching history is sensitisation, not allergy.
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Oral food challenges carry a real risk
Small risk of anaphylaxis - always in a clinic with a paediatric anaphylaxis pathway.
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The plan matters more than the test
A written rescue plan and EpiPen training changes outcomes.
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Antihistamines before testing
Non-sedating antihistamines are stopped for 3–5 days before skin prick testing.
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Eczema flares affect testing
Skin prick sites need to be reasonably clear - plan a good eczema week.
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School and nursery communication
The clinic letter should be one that a school nurse can act on.
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Follow-up matters
Many childhood allergies resolve - re-testing at the right age is part of the plan.
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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
History summary and tests done
What the child reacted to, what was tested, and the tools used.
- Technique
Skin prick, IgE and component results
Wheal sizes, kU/L values and component pattern where relevant.
- Findings
Diagnosis and severity
What the child is and is not allergic to, and how severe.
- Impression
Management plan and rescue medication
Read this first: what to avoid, what to carry, and when to inject adrenaline.
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 paediatric allergy testing.
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When should a child be tested for allergy?
When there is a clear history of reaction to a food, medication or environmental trigger, or when eczema, asthma or hay fever is not controlled. Broad "just in case" panels in a child with no symptoms are not recommended.
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What does paediatric allergy testing involve?
A consultant paediatric allergist takes a detailed history, then does skin prick testing on the forearm (quick and low-pain) or a specific IgE blood test. Component-resolved testing is added for peanut, hazelnut, wheat or shellfish where risk stratification matters.
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How much does private paediatric allergy testing cost in the UK?
Roughly £250–£450 for the consultation, £180–£350 for skin prick testing, £180–£500 for a specific IgE blood panel and £350–£700 for component-resolved testing. Oral food challenges are £600–£1,200 per food.
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Is paediatric allergy testing available on the NHS?
Yes, through paediatric allergy clinics - but waits for a first NHS appointment run 6–18 months in most regions, and access to skin prick or component testing in one visit is limited.
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Do we need to stop antihistamines before testing?
Yes - non-sedating antihistamines (cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine) are stopped for 3–5 days before skin prick testing, otherwise the results are unreliable. Inhalers and steroid creams are fine to continue.
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Will my child grow out of it?
Cow’s milk and egg allergies commonly resolve by school age. Peanut, tree nut, sesame and seafood allergies are more likely to persist. Re-testing at the right age - usually every 1–2 years - is part of the plan.
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.