Diagnosis
Food allergy & intolerance testing
Accurate diagnosis of food allergy and intolerance — skin prick, specific-IgE blood tests, ALEX-3 and supervised food challenges.
Identify Your Food Triggers with Confidence
Understanding Food Allergies and Intolerances
While the terms "food allergy" and "food intolerance" are often used interchangeably, they are distinct conditions with different underlying mechanisms:
Food Allergy: A food allergy is an adverse immune response to a specific protein, usually mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE). When someone with a food allergy consumes a trigger food, their body releases histamine and other chemicals, leading to a range of symptoms that range from mild to life-threatening. Common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish.
Food Intolerance: A food intolerance involves the digestive system and does not involve IgE. It occurs when the body has difficulty digesting a particular food (usually a carbohydrate) due to enzyme deficiencies or sensitivities to certain food additives, e.g. sulphites. Symptoms of food intolerance are troubling but typically less severe than those of a food allergy and may include bloating, gas, diarrhoea, growth failure and abdominal pain.
Why Get Tested?
Identifying triggers that are relevant to you or your child - through food allergy and intolerance testing - is essential for several reasons:
Accurate Diagnosis: Pinpointing the specific foods causing your symptoms allows for targeted dietary elimination, safe dietary expansion and appropriate management strategies which may include Oral Immunotherapy.
Improved Health: By avoiding trigger foods, you can reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms, improve overall health and growth in children, and enhance quality of life.
Peace of Mind: Knowing of relevant triggers empowers you to make informed food choices and confidently navigate situations involving food, e.g. travel, school catering, sleepovers, university, and eating out socially
Prevent Severe Reactions: In the case of food allergies, early diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).
Common Conditions Related to Food Allergies
Food allergies can often be associated with other allergic conditions; these may develop in a sequence known as the allergic march, typically commencing with infant eczema, followed by food allergies, asthma, and hay fever. Other conditions include:
Allergy Rhinitis: Also known as hay fever, this condition involves inflammation of the nasal passages due to allergens like pollen, pet dander and house dust mites. HDM gives rise to perennial symptoms like eczema flares (especially of exposed skin areas), early morning sneezing and nasal blockage, allergic coughing, and itchy eyes.
Allergic Asthma: This chronic respiratory condition can be triggered by aeroallergens. Most children with persistent asthma will be allergic to one or more aeroallergens. Patients with active asthma are at greater risk of severe food-induced allergic reactions.
Primary and Secondary Food Allergies: Primary, e.g. cashew nut allergy typically develops early in life and is associated with more severe reactions. Secondary food allergies develop in children who become allergic to pollen. This is also known as oral allergy syndrome or pollen food syndrome, which arises as certain pollens and certain foods share these proteins. These reactions are typically milder and do not occur if the food is heated or cooked.
Types of Food Allergy and Intolerance Tests
Our Testing Process
During your first visit, we discuss your child's symptoms and medical history to determine the right test for you. This is usually followed by a clinical examination looking for eczema, hayfever and asthma features. Growth is measured.
2. The Test
You will be given a clear explanation of any testing to be undertaken. Our tests are carried out in a safe, comfortable, and child-friendly environment. A numbing cream will be offered before blood testing.
3. Review of Results
Once your results are ready, a team member will explain them. Skin test results are available in 15 minutes, and blood allergy tests will take a few days to return. We will then discuss options available to you regarding the allergies suggested by the testing.
4. Follow-Up Support
A follow-up appointment is standard to answer any questions after you receive your results. This will usually be done remotely, but you can attend a face-to-face follow-up.
Treatment Options
The default treatment for food allergies and intolerances has traditionally been avoiding trigger foods and carriage of a bespoke emergency plan and medications. Other management strategies are increasingly available, and we offer:
Allergy Emergency Medications: Antihistamines can help relieve mild allergic symptoms like itching and hives. Epinephrine auto-injectors (such as EpiPen) are essential for treating anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. Newer devices such as Neffy (EurNeffy) will be available in the UK in 2025, and this device will administer adrenaline as an intranasal spray.
Dietary Modifications: Working with a registered dietitian to develop a balanced and nutritious diet that avoids trigger foods is crucial for managing food allergies and intolerances. A dietitian can help you identify suitable alternatives and ensure you're meeting your nutritional needs. This intervention is especially important for allergic children.
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT): This treatment involves gradually increasing exposure to the food allergen under medical supervision to desensitise the immune system. OIT can effectively reduce the likelihood and severity of allergic reactions over time.
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT): Similar to OIT, the allergen is administered under the tongue. SLIT is another option for desensitising the immune system to food allergens.
Biologic therapies such as Omalizumab (Xoliar): This injectable medication has long been used for asthma but is now repurposed to moderate food allergies. It can be taken continuously to reduce the chance of allergic reactions or as cover whilst multi-food OIT is undertaken.
London Allergy Consultants: Your Partner in Allergy Care
At London Allergy Consultants, we provide comprehensive allergy and intolerance testing services in a comfortable, supportive and child-friendly environment. Our experienced consultants will work with you to:
Identify your food and aero-allergy triggers: We offer a range of contemporary evidence-based tests to accurately diagnose food allergies and intolerances.
Develop a personalised management plan: We will help you create a dietary and emergency plan to avoid triggers and manage your symptoms effectively.
Provide ongoing support: We offer education, Dietetic and Psychology resources, and follow-up care to help you live a full and healthy life.
Book Your Appointment Today
If you or your child is experiencing food allergy symptoms or intolerance, don't hesitate to contact London Allergy Consultants. Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health and well-being.