Allergy Testing

Have you recently had an allergic reaction but are unsure what triggered it? Or maybe you want to know how to optimise your health and get to know your intolerances. If so, there’s an allergy test out there for you.

In general, there are two different types of allergy testing — skin test or blood test. Although skin tests are more common, both are an effective way of discovering if you have any allergies. But it’s still worth speaking with your doctor about your concerns and to find out which type would suit your needs best.

Not the holistic therapist you're looking for? Back to Holistic Therapies.

Skin Test for Allergies

Skin testing is the most common way to test for allergies. It’s simple and (almost) completely pain-free. In a skin test, the practitioner will prick your skin and insert a small amount of a substance to see what happens. If you come up in bumps or a red ring appears around the spot, then you’re allergic. If nothing happens, you’re not — simple!

Before your session, you will have a discussion with the doctor or practitioner where they’ll ask you about your medical history, symptoms, and triggers. Using this information, they will then decide which allergens to use in the testing. They could use as few as one or two — or as many as 50.

How to Prepare

To prepare for your test, avoid taking any antihistamines as they will affect your results. Other medicines can also interfere with the test. So you may be asked to avoid cold medication and any other prescriptions. As the test occurs on the skin, you’ll also want to avoid using cream or perfume on the day in question.

What to Expect from a Skin Allergy Test

Your test will be performed on either your arm or back by a nurse and tested by a medical professional. From start to end, test to interpretation only takes around an hour. But the exact length of time will depend on how many allergens are tested.

The Results

Once you have your diagnosis, you will receive feedback about how to manage it in the future. Your doctor or therapist may give you a list of foods to avoid or a set of medication you should take if you do encounter your allergens.

We have a range of allergy and intolerance testing practitioners who specialise in skin tests on our database. So have a browse, chat with others, and find your perfect fit.

Blood Test for Allergies

An allergy blood test follows the same procedure as a regular blood test. It sometimes accompanies a skin test to identify food intolerances such as celiac disease. 

For your blood test, the nurse will tie a band around your upper arm to slow the flow of blood and boost the visibility of the vein. They will then clean the area with a sterilising cloth and insert the needle. They will only need to take a small amount of blood so you shouldn’t feel any significant after-effects. Some people, however, can feel a little dizzy.

The blood will then be sent off for analysis and you’ll receive results in a few days.

Hair Strand and Bio-Resonance Allergy Testing

Hair testing is the most non-invasive, time-efficient, and effortless way to test for allergies- specifically for food intolerances. All you need to do is give over a couple of strands of hair, and using the newest bio-resonance technology it will be matched against over 750 food and non-food items.

If a frequency is over 85%, it means that you probably have an intolerance. Your therapist will guide you through the entire process and ensure that you understand your results.

Allergies and intolerances can be life-limiting. So get yourself an allergy test today and gain insights into your health.