info@hje.org.uk

Our staff will give you plenty of time at your consultation, during which a comprehensive history of all problems will be taken before skin testing. This will help guide the testing process and will allow greater accuracy in interpretation and also ensuring that no tests are missed. Careful questioning by the doctor goes 90% of the way to a correct diagnosis.

A brief examination of the nose, eyes, lungs, glands and skin will follow and tests will be performed to confirm the doctor’s diagnosis.

It is important that the patient  if possible stops taking anti-histamines (e.g. Piriton, Clarityn, Cetirizine etc.) five days before your appointment so that the skin tests are more likely to give reliable results.

If you are just coming for skin prick testing you will meet with the nurse who will perform the test. This involves putting drops of the allergen (food or pollen etc) on to your arm and pricking this gently with a lancet, which should not break the skin. The procedure is not painful and is generally well tolerated. After the test anti-histamine can be taken if necessary to take away the itch.

Our in-clinic tests:

·      Skin prick testing
·      Allergy blood tests
·      Lung function testing
·      Allergy challenges

Once diagnosed, the patient’s understanding of the causes of the allergy will make controlling it much more successful.

What should I do if I suspect my child has an allergy/ Do I need to see my GP first?

Some insurers require a GP referral in order to ensure your appointment is covered. It is important to ensure that the insurer agrees to cover the cost of tests including skin prick testing and blood tests.