Concierge paediatric allergy · UK
Skin prick allergy testing (paediatric) - a quick, safe first-line answer.
For children with suspected food or environmental allergy. A consultant paediatric allergist, on-site skin prick testing to the allergens the history points to, and a written 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 skin prick testing costs in the UK.
In short
Skin prick test in our network: £180–£350, results in 15–30 minutes.
| Item | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paediatric allergy consultation | £250–£450 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
| Skin prick test - up to 6 allergens | £180–£280 | 15–20 min | Same visit |
| Skin prick test - up to 12 allergens | £220–£350 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| Extended food panel (up to 20) | £280–£420 | 25–35 min | Same visit |
| Skin prick + specific IgE combined | £380–£750 | One visit | IgE 3–7 days |
| Follow-up review | £150–£280 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| Written management + EpiPen training | £120–£220 | 30 min | Same visit |
The problem
Test what the story points to, in one visit, with a plan you leave with.
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The right allergens, not the whole shelf
A history-driven panel - testing what the story points to rather than a scattergun approach.
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Paediatric-trained nurses, resus-equipped rooms
Skin prick testing is safe when done properly, in the right setting, on stable eczema.
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A written plan on the way out
Not "results to follow" - you leave with a diagnosis and a rescue 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 paediatric skin prick testing is the right step.
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Suspected nut, sesame or seafood allergy
A specific reaction history in a child - skin prick is fast and specific.
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Cow’s milk or egg allergy
To confirm or exclude before an oral food challenge or reintroduction ladder.
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Hay fever with poor control
To identify grass, tree or weed pollen sensitisation before starting SLIT.
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House-dust-mite or pet allergy
For year-round rhinitis and asthma control.
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Eczema with a suspected trigger
When there is a plausible food story - not for eczema alone.
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Fruit and vegetable oral itching
Pollen-food syndrome patterns in older children.
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Antihistamines must be stopped first
3–5 days off non-sedating antihistamines before testing.
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Red flag: severe eczema flare on the arms
Skin prick may not be reliable on flared skin - plan a good week or use IgE instead.
Options
Skin prick is the first-line test - these are the alternatives.
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Skin prick testing (SPT)
The first-line test - quick, low-pain, high specificity.
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Specific IgE blood testing
When skin prick is not possible - active eczema, needle-averse teen.
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Component-resolved testing (ISAC / ALEX)
Adds risk stratification for peanut, hazelnut, wheat and shellfish.
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Oral food challenge
The gold standard when history and testing disagree.
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Patch testing
For delayed contact dermatitis reactions.
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Intradermal testing
Not first-line in children - reserved for drug allergy work-up.
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Prick-to-prick with fresh food
For fruit, vegetable and unusual foods where commercial extracts are unreliable.
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Tryptase
Baseline and post-reaction to rule in anaphylaxis and mastocytosis.
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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Very safe when done properly
Local wheal only in most children; systemic reactions are rare but rooms are resus-equipped.
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Positive test ≠ allergy
A positive test without matching history is sensitisation, not allergy.
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Antihistamines block the test
Stop non-sedating antihistamines for 3–5 days before.
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Eczema on the arms
Test sites need to be reasonably clear - plan a good eczema week.
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Not for babies under 3 months routinely
Skin reactivity is limited in very young babies - plan around it.
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Interpret with history
The interpretation is the whole reason to see a consultant, not a nurse-only clinic.
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Written plan matters
Rescue medication, EpiPen training and school letter are the real output.
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Re-test at intervals
Cow’s milk and egg often resolve - re-testing every 1–2 years is normal.
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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
Allergens tested and controls
What was tested and the histamine and saline control readings.
- Technique
Wheal sizes and interpretation
Millimetre wheal sizes for each allergen and clinical interpretation.
- Findings
Diagnoses and sensitisations
Which foods and aeroallergens are clinically relevant.
- Impression
Plan and rescue medication
Read this first: what to avoid, what to carry, what to do in a reaction.
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 skin prick testing.
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When should a child have skin prick testing?
When there is a clear reaction history to a specific food or environmental allergen, or when eczema, asthma or hay fever is not controlled and the treating consultant needs to know which allergens are driving it.
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What does the test actually involve?
A drop of allergen extract is placed on the forearm and a small lancet is used to lightly prick the skin through the drop. It takes about 15–30 minutes for the wheal to develop. The wheal size is measured and interpreted against controls and against the history.
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How much does paediatric skin prick testing cost privately in the UK?
Roughly £180–£280 for a small panel of up to 6 allergens, £220–£350 for up to 12 and £280–£420 for extended food panels. The consultation is a separate £250–£450.
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Is skin prick testing available on the NHS?
Yes, in paediatric allergy clinics, but waits for first appointment run 6–18 months in most regions, and same-visit testing is not always possible.
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Do we need to stop antihistamines first?
Yes - non-sedating antihistamines (cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine) must be stopped for 3–5 days before the test, otherwise the results are unreliable. Inhalers and steroid creams are fine to continue.
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Is it painful?
It is uncomfortable but not sharp - most children tolerate it well after a good explanation. Distraction, a familiar toy and the option of a parent doing the counting help a lot.
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.