Allergy testing at Cheltenham Hospital

To book an allergy test online, please click here. Our Pathology Direct service provides quick and easy access to a variety of blood and allergy tests, along with your results. The service is self-pay, offering a range of tests available for purchase online.

Allergies cause immune system reactions ranging from a runny nose to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Allergy testing measures the amount of IgE (allergy) antibodies in your blood. IgE antibodies are produced when your body reacts to substances that you might be allergic to, such as specific foods. A variety of methods is available for allergen-specific IgE tests. The traditional RAST (radioallergosorbent test) test has been replaced with a newer IgE –specific immunoassay method. All allergen IgE tests are referred to as RAST tests by some Doctors even though this is a specific test method and may not be the same method used in the laboratory.

To determine what substance is triggering an allergic reaction, your blood can be tested against common allergens in the laboratory. The severity of allergic response is due to a combination of genetic background and extent of exposure to allergens.

Unlike a skin prick test, results of an allergy test may take a few days. In the lab a sample of your blood is exposed to different allergens (substances) that you may be allergic to. Elevated levels of IgE indicate an allergic reaction. Most allergies can be dealt with by managing your lifestyle and through medication and avoidance. In some cases, your reaction to a specific allergen is non IgE mediated and may not be confirmed by this test.

Generally, inhaled allergens such as dust mites, tree, grass or weed pollens will produce respiratory symptoms. Ingested (food) allergies will produce skin and/or gastrointestinal symptoms or anaphylaxis. However, both types of allergens (ingested and inhaled) can produce the full spectrum of allergy symptoms.

In order to deal with allergy symptoms most effectively, it is first necessary to determine what is causing an allergy. Allergy tests provide specific information about what you are allergic to and indicate what foods and inhalants are associated with antibodies that may cause allergic reactions.

Common allergies come from:

• Waste products from dust mites that live in your home, moulds in your home or in the air outside, tree, grass and weed pollen and cockroach droppings.
• Foods such as nuts, dairy and dairy products
• Natural materials, such as latex rubber gloves or balloons
• Drugs such as penicillin.

Elimination of positive foods and reduction of exposure to inhalant allergens will help bring allergy symptoms under control. Considerable improvement in the quality of life can be achieved including improved sleep quality due to less congestion, reduction in sneezing and nose–blowing, improved ability to exercise, and better control of atopic dermatitis (eczema).

Various allergen profiles are available, individual allergens can also be ordered.

Our Inhalant Allergy Profile includes trees, weeds, dust mites and common animal allergens.

Food allergy testing

Common food allergies come from foods such as nuts, dairy and dairy products and fish.

Our Food Allergy Profile includes a wide range of the most common food types.