Your allergy consultation explained

There is more to solving your problem than performing an allergy test. Below is a summary of what may happen during a standard consultation.

We listen:
how did that rash or runny nose or wheeze or whatever, start?
What makes it worse…or better?
What treatments have you been offered or tried?
Did they work?

We examine:
the itchy rash that has you scratching day and night may be linked to the blocked and stuffy nose you’ve noticed recently.
Your child’s asthma may be triggered by that ‘head cold’ she gets every month.

Nasoendoscopy
We may use fiberoptics to photograph the inside of nose and sinuses, even areas at the back of the throat, right down to the tonsils and vocal cords. This allows you, the patient, hold on to the ‘before’ image and compare it with the ‘after’ picture showing the improvement that you feel. This is especially helpful for parents as it helps them understand what is wrong with their child, how it’s managed and how successful any treatment strategy has been.

What we test with
We use only approved extracts. All allergy material is imported direct from Dome Hollister-Stier (USA), the largest allergy manufacturing company in the world. The FDA (US Food Drugs Administration) clears each product before use in medical practice. This is your guarantee of safety, sterility and accuracy. We also source allergy-testing material from Stallergenes (www.stallergenes.com) a French pharmaceutical company.

What we test for
common inhaled allergy substances such as dust mite, grass pollens, dog hair, cat hair, and horsehair even rabbit hair. We also test for a wide range of foods (N.B. if there is a specific food you believe you or your child has reacted to please let us know in advance. Sometimes we use fresh food rather than test extract.)

We explain:
over and above telling you what (or what not) you are allergic to we try and help you understand the link between the test result and your problem. This is of particular importance when nothing shows on testing. Not every rash, headache, joint pain, runny nose or cough is due to allergy.

Helpful information leaflets
Most patients cannot remember more than about 20% of conversation during a medical consultation. To help you recall the most important points we provide information leaflets, explaining test results and what therapy has been recommended.

Please note that a negative test is as important as a positive one. A negative result allows the treating doctor choose an appropriate management course for your condition.

Tests are usually carried out on the inner arm

Nasoendoscopy fiberoptic camera

Allergy Test Kit used. ComforTen™ Dome Hollister-Steir