Allergy Testing & Diagnosis

Dermatology Navigation

Along with contact substances and other causes, what you eat, or drink can bring an allergic skin reaction. With nuts, shellfish, cheese and allied items often on the list.

---

An allergy is an unwanted immune system response to external substances. This can cause a runny nose, itchy eyes, or a skin rash. Your skin is the first line of defence for your body and often affected.

Allergy diagnosis is an important part of a dermatologist’s job. Neither should this be carried out by unqualified individuals who have become involved in the field, using techniques for which there is no clinical evidence.

We try to avoid criticising others but in this rare case make a plea. If you have allergy issues, please visit a professional dermatologist, whether us, or any of your choice. Allergic conditions can cause distress and become serious issues.

Listening to you and analysing your symptoms will help, along with knowing if you suffer from allergy related conditions, such as asthma, atopic eczema, or hay fever. Whether similar issues have arisen in other family members may be relevant.

Identifying the type of reaction you have will assist, whether this is acute, or delayed. Studying the physical manifestation of your allergy can prove valuable.

Our consultants use their experience and a range of diagnostic procedures, including prick, or patch testing, or blood samples analysed in our laboratory. Accurately tracking the cause can be a cure in itself and is a key step in treatment choice.

You are welcome to download a pdf leaflet, giving additional details on:

Allergy Treatment In London

Identifying the trigger for an allergy and ensuring this is avoided in future is part of allergy treatment in our London clinic. Whether this is simply a cosmetic you chose, or workplace exposure you can’t even see.

Further treatment may still be required, often dedicated medication. Antihistamines can help, receptor blockers (antagonists), or certain groups of steroids, or at times, a combination of medication.

Immunotherapy, a long term course of vaccines, is a possibility in a smaller number of cases. Not least where people can’t avoid an allergen and medication is not a solution.

One piece of medication can be vital for a few cases, an adrenaline auto injection kit. Allergies can produce anaphylaxis, with breathing issues and/or a drop in blood pressure, leading to unconsciousness.

This can be a life threatening issue. In the rare cases where an auto injection kit is needed, our dermatologists will provide a detailed treatment plan and training for use.

Angioedema & Urticaria

A raised, itchy rash known as urticaria (hives) can have other causes but is often related to allergies and the immune system. The same may apply to angioedema, a build up of fluid in deeper layers of the skin.

Angioedema can affect your lips, tongue, airway, neck, genitalia, perhaps your hands and feet. Again, angioedema may have other causes, from stress, to a reaction to drugs, or be a facet of allergic reaction.

Allergies, angioedema & urticaria can be separate issues, accurate diagnosis is vital. They are however commonly interwoven and in many cases, share a treatment path.

Diagnosis is similar in approach, with blood tests valuable. Chosen medication tends to be similar, the need for an adrenaline auto injection kit could also apply.

Allergic reaction and the immune system sit at the heart of dermatology in London. We naturally offer allergy treatment but our clinic goes further, understanding an allergy is about understanding you.