Allergy testing
Two paths to answers: IgE blood panels (no needles needed at home — sample at the pharmacy, results in days) or skin-prick testing (fast, visual, suitable for some allergens). Pharmacist-interpreted report, with referral to an immunologist where needed.
Blood (IgE) tests
A blood sample tested against a panel of allergens. Detects specific IgE antibodies in your blood — the immune marker that drives true IgE-mediated allergy. Useful when skin-prick isn't suitable (extensive eczema, antihistamine use you can't pause, dermographism).
| Panel | What it covers | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Food Allergy Screen | 25 common food allergens: milk, egg, wheat, soya, peanut, tree nuts (almond, hazelnut, brazil, cashew, walnut), fish, shellfish, sesame, mustard, celery, lupin, kiwi, more. Per FSA "14 major allergens" + extras. | £140 |
| Inhaled Allergy Screen | House dust mite, grass pollens, tree pollens, animal dander (cat, dog, horse), mould spores. For hay fever / perennial rhinitis investigation. | £110 |
| Specific Allergen — single test | One named allergen of your choice (e.g. peanut, latex, bee venom). Useful for confirmation or follow-up. | £40 |
| Total IgE | Single marker of overall atopic tendency. Useful adjunct, not a specific-allergy test. | £35 |
| Comprehensive Allergy Profile | Both food and inhaled allergens (60+ items) plus total IgE. Best for unclear cases or multi-system symptoms. | £225 |
Skin-prick testing
Drop of allergen extract on the skin, tiny pinprick, observed for 15 minutes for a wheal-and-flare response. Faster results than blood (you see them in 15 minutes), suitable for many common environmental and food allergens.
| Panel | Allergens tested | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hay-fever & environmental | Grass pollens, tree pollens, dust mite, cat, dog, mould — 8-10 standard environmental allergens. | £85 |
| Food (extended) | Common food allergens: milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame, kiwi. | £95 |
| Combined Environmental + Food | Both above panels in one visit. | £150 |
Skin-prick is not suitable for everyone: extensive eczema covering testing skin, on antihistamines you can't stop for 5 days, dermographism, history of anaphylaxis to the test allergen (in which case blood IgE is the safer route).
How testing works at Hyde Park
- Brief pre-test consultation (free, 10 minutes) — discuss your symptoms, what you suspect, choose blood vs skin-prick.
- Sample taken on the day — blood draw (10 minutes) or skin-prick (45 minutes including observation).
- Results — skin-prick: same day. Blood: 5-7 working days, UKAS-accredited UK laboratory.
- Pharmacist-interpreted written report — what the results mean, what they don't mean (sensitisation vs symptomatic allergy), what to do next.
- Onward referral — if results suggest a complex case (severe food allergy, drug allergy, oral allergy syndrome, anaphylaxis history), we refer you to NHS immunology via your GP. We provide a report so you don't need to re-test.