Allergy Testing

Allergies are a very common occurrence throughout the population. In the UK, we have one of the highest rates of allergies per capita in the world with over 20% of the population suffering from one or more allergic disorders.

A food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after consuming a certain kind of food. Even the smallest amount of allergy causing foods can trigger symptoms which can affect different arears of the body.

There are many different types of allergies but the most common ones that are tested for include allergies to pollen, mould, pet dander, dust mites and foods. Touchwood Pharmacy offers allergy testing in Northolt and also allergy testing in Walsall for quick and accurate results to help you manage allergic reactions plus full pharmacy support and guidance for appropriate treatments.

Skin prick testing is one of the most common forms of allergy testing but blood sampling is another option, this is when a small amount of blood is taken from the patient and analysed for specific antibodies produced by the immune system in response to an allergen. 

Some people suffer from food intolerances which means their body has a reaction to certain food ingredients and finds them difficult to digest. This can result in unpleasant reactions ranging from uncomfortable to painful and sometimes, on rare occasions, these reactions can be life-threatening.

There are lots of different types of food allergy tests some which have scientific backing and others which are less recognised by healthcare professionals.  It is important to understand what is available so you can steer towards the allergen test or food sensitivity test which is going to be most beneficial for your problems.  

It is not unusual for some people to suffer from mild allergies since they often clear up once the trigger has been removed.  However, persistent allergies which can have unpleasant and uncomfortable symptoms may prove particularly troublesome especially when it comes to pinpointing the cause.