Allergy consultation
A specialist appointment to work out whether your symptoms are caused by an allergy, what the trigger might be, and what tests and management would actually help.
✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review
In short
- The consultation centres on a detailed history of your symptoms; tests are chosen and interpreted around that story.
- A positive allergy test on its own does not mean you are allergic — sensitisation is common in people who can eat or tolerate the substance with no problem.
- You may not get a final diagnosis in one visit; some people need further tests, a food/drug challenge, or a period of watching symptoms.
- If you have ever had a severe reaction, make sure this is flagged early — the specialist can advise on emergency treatment such as an adrenaline auto-injector.
A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.
At a glance
A general guide. Your specialist will give you advice for your situation.
A clear, expert view on whether your symptoms are likely to be an allergy.
If you are currently having a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, you need emergency care (call 999), not a clinic appointment.
A detailed history, examination, and sometimes same-day skin prick testing with results read after about 15 minutes.
A clear explanation of what each result means for you, with realistic next steps.
A detailed history, examination, and sometimes same-day skin prick testing with results read after about 15...
You discuss what the findings mean, immediate advice on avoidance and emergency treatment, and the next steps.
Blood test results return if taken, and a letter usually goes to your GP. Further tests may be arranged.
If needed, a supervised food or drug challenge, immunotherapy assessment, or review to confirm the diagnosis and...
What is an allergy consultation?
An allergy consultation is an appointment with a specialist — usually an allergist or clinical immunologist — to make sense of symptoms that might be caused by an allergy. These could include reactions to foods, medicines, insect stings, pollen, animals, house dust mites, or unexplained hives, swelling or anaphylaxis.
The single most important part is the story: a careful, allergy-focused history of what happened, how quickly, how often, and in what circumstances. Tests such as skin prick testing or blood tests only make sense when read alongside this history. A test result on its own does not diagnose an allergy.
The consultation can tell you whether an allergy is likely, which triggers to investigate, and what management would help — for example avoidance advice, medicines, an adrenaline auto-injector if needed, or referral for further testing. It cannot always give a final answer in one visit, and it cannot reliably diagnose allergy from tests alone.
Types, options & approaches
There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.
Options at a glance
These are the main approaches described in this guide. The right option depends on the diagnosis, your goals and what your clinician thinks is safe.
Allergy-focused clinical history
Detailed questions about your symptoms, timing, triggers, severity and background, including other allergic conditions such as asthma, eczema or hay fever. This shapes...
Examination
A look at relevant areas such as the skin, nose, chest or throat, depending on your symptoms.
Same-day skin prick testing
Tiny amounts of suspected allergens are placed on the skin and gently pricked; results are read after about 15 minutes. Antihistamines usually need stopping beforehand.
Blood tests (specific IgE)
Blood is taken to look for allergy antibodies to particular triggers. Not affected by antihistamines, but still must be read alongside your history.
Preparing for your appointment
- Write a clear timeline of your reactions: what happened, how soon after exposure, how long it lasted, and what you did.
- Note suspected triggers — foods, medicines, stings, pollen, animals — and bring photos of any rashes or swelling if you have them.
- Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter ones, and any allergy treatments you already use.
- Ask the clinic whether to stop antihistamines beforehand (usually for 3–5 days) in case skin prick testing is done; do not stop other regular medicines without advice.
- Bring previous test results, hospital letters or details of any emergency treatment you have had.
- If a child is being seen, bring a parent or carer who witnessed the reactions and any food or product packaging involved.
- Note any questions about avoidance, emergency treatment, school or work, and whether you need an adrenaline auto-injector.
What happens
The specialist starts by taking a detailed history — often the longest part of the appointment — asking about your symptoms, timing, triggers, severity and any other allergic conditions. They examine relevant areas such as your skin, nose or chest.
Depending on what they suspect, they may do skin prick testing on the same day, arrange blood tests, or plan further investigations. They explain what each test can and cannot show, and stress that results must be read alongside your history.
You should leave with a clear idea of what is likely going on, what the next steps are, and what to do in the meantime — including emergency advice if you have ever had a severe reaction. A letter usually goes to your GP. If a final answer is not possible yet, they explain why and what will help reach one.
Is this appointment right for me?
A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.
May not be suitable if…
- If you are currently having a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, you need emergency care (call 999), not a clinic appointment.
- Broad, untargeted 'screening' for many allergens without a relevant history is unhelpful and produces misleading positives.
- Symptoms that are very unlikely to be allergic (for example most chronic tiredness or vague gut symptoms) may be better assessed by a different specialty.
- Commercial IgG, hair, kinesiology or 'intolerance' tests are not a valid alternative and should not be relied on.
Delay or rearrange if…
- You are in the middle of an acute reaction or unwell with an infection.
- You cannot stop antihistamines safely before skin prick testing — discuss timing with the clinic.
- Key information is missing, such as what you reacted to or previous results.
- You are pregnant and certain tests or challenges would be better deferred — discuss with the specialist.
Alternatives to discuss
- Starting with your GP, who can manage milder allergy and refer if needed.
- A trial of avoidance and antihistamines under medical advice for mild symptoms.
- Specific IgE blood testing alone where skin testing is not suitable.
- Referral to another specialty if symptoms are unlikely to be allergic.
- Watchful waiting with a symptom diary if the picture is unclear.
Before you decide
Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.
What matters most to me?
Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.
What are all my options?
Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.
What would make me pause?
Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.
What happens if I do nothing today?
For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.
Benefits
- A clear, expert view on whether your symptoms are likely to be an allergy.
- The right tests chosen for your situation, rather than broad untargeted testing.
- Sensible avoidance advice and treatment, including emergency planning if needed.
- Reassurance where an allergy is unlikely, helping avoid unnecessary food or medicine restriction.
- A plan for further testing, such as a supervised challenge, if the picture is unclear.
- Advice for school, work, travel and everyday life with your specific triggers.
Risks & complications
- You may not get a definite answer in one visit, which can be frustrating.
- Skin prick testing causes brief itching and small temporary bumps where done.
- Stopping antihistamines beforehand can let symptoms such as itching flare for a few days.
- Test results can be hard to interpret and may need careful explanation.
- A positive test to something you actually tolerate, leading to confusion or unnecessary avoidance if not interpreted carefully.
- A negative test despite a genuine allergy, so the history still has to guide decisions.
- Needing further appointments or supervised challenges to reach a diagnosis.
- A more pronounced skin reaction during skin prick testing in very sensitive people, which is why testing is done where staff can manage reactions.
- Very rarely, a systemic allergic reaction during testing, which is why specialist supervision and emergency treatment must be available.
The main risk is not the appointment itself but misreading tests. A positive skin prick or blood test only shows sensitisation; many sensitised people have no allergy at all. Ask the specialist to explain what each result means for you specifically, and never start strict avoidance of an important food on the basis of a test alone.
Published figures to discuss
A consultation itself carries no meaningful complication rate. The important numbers are about test interpretation: skin prick and blood tests detect sensitisation, which is far more common than true allergy, so positives must be read against the clinical story. Accuracy varies widely by allergen, age and how the test is used, which is why a specialist interprets them rather than relying on the test alone.
| Figure | Reported range | How to interpret it | Source / confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive allergy test without clinical allergy | Common, especially with aeroallergens and broad food panels | Sensitisation means IgE is detectable; it only becomes a diagnosis when it fits the history. | Guide sourcesClinical context |
| Systemic reaction during skin-prick testing | Rare | Testing should still be done in a setting that can recognise and treat anaphylaxis immediately. | Guide sourcesClinical context |
| Uncontrolled asthma increasing reaction severity | Clinically important and repeatedly identified in severe food-allergy outcomes | Good allergy care checks asthma control before challenges, immunotherapy and high-risk advice. | BSACI guidelines for the management of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (PMC)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govSource-linked context |
| Unvalidated allergy or intolerance tests leading to unnecessary avoidance | Common in private-market advertising | IgG food panels, hair analysis and similar tests are not valid ways to diagnose allergy. | Guide sourcesClinical context |
These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.
What happens afterwards
There is no physical recovery. Afterwards, what matters is understanding your results and plan, following any avoidance or emergency advice, and knowing when and how a final diagnosis will be reached.
- Brief itching and small bumps after skin prick testing that settle within an hour or two.
- A flare of usual symptoms in the days after stopping antihistamines for testing.
- Waiting a little while for blood results or a follow-up appointment.
- Leaving with a plan rather than a final diagnosis in some cases.
- Needing to read and absorb avoidance or emergency advice afterwards.
Aftercare
- Follow the avoidance advice given, but do not over-restrict important foods on the basis of tests alone.
- Carry and know how to use any emergency medicines prescribed, such as antihistamines or an adrenaline auto-injector.
- Restart antihistamines as advised after testing.
- Keep a symptom diary if asked, especially if the diagnosis is not yet clear.
- Make sure your GP, and where relevant your school or workplace, has the plan.
- Attend any arranged blood tests, challenges or follow-up appointments.
- Seek urgent help for any severe reaction while waiting for results or further tests.
- A clear timeline of your reactions and suspected triggers
- Photos of any rashes or swelling
- Full medicine list including allergy treatments
- Confirmation of whether to stop antihistamines beforehand
- Previous results and hospital letters
- Details of any emergency treatment you have had
- Questions about avoidance, emergency care and everyday life
⚠ Get urgent help if…
- Difficulty breathing, wheeze, or a tight or swollen throat.
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth or face.
- Feeling faint, dizzy or collapsing during or after a reaction.
- A widespread rash or hives with any breathing or swallowing difficulty.
- Repeated vomiting or sudden tummy pain after a suspected trigger in a child.
- Any reaction that is worse or faster than before — use an adrenaline auto-injector if prescribed and call 999.
Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.
General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your specialist gives you.
Results & realistic expectations
A good outcome is a clear understanding of whether an allergy is likely, what the trigger is, and a plan you can follow — including knowing what to do in an emergency. Sometimes the most useful result is reassurance that an allergy is unlikely, so you can stop avoiding something unnecessarily.
The consultation cannot always give a final answer in one visit, and tests cannot prove or rule out allergy on their own. A confident diagnosis sometimes needs a supervised challenge or a period of watching how symptoms behave.
Allergies can change over time. Some childhood food allergies are outgrown; others persist or appear in adulthood. Advice and any emergency plan should be reviewed as symptoms change, especially in children, and after any new or more severe reaction.
Related tests, treatments or support
An allergy consultation often leads to further investigations such as specific IgE blood tests, intradermal testing for drug or venom allergy, component-resolved diagnostics, or a supervised oral food challenge. It may also link with asthma, eczema or hay fever care, since these often occur together.
Follow-up & long-term care
Follow-up depends on what is found. Simple results may be wrapped up in one visit with a letter to your GP. More complex cases need further tests or a supervised challenge, then review to confirm the diagnosis and agree long-term management and any emergency plan.
- Review of any emergency plan and adrenaline auto-injector, including expiry dates and technique.
- Reassessment of allergies that may be outgrown, particularly in children.
- Updated avoidance advice as new triggers or reactions appear.
- Repeat or further testing if symptoms or circumstances change.
Repeat, follow-on and what comes next
- A diagnosis is sometimes reached only after further tests or a supervised challenge.
- Allergy status can change over time, so the plan may be reassessed, especially in children.
- An emergency plan and auto-injector need periodic review and renewal.
Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.
What good aftercare looks like
- A clear explanation of what each result means for you, with realistic next steps.
- Written avoidance advice and, where needed, an emergency action plan.
- A prescription and training for an adrenaline auto-injector if indicated.
- A letter to your GP and, where relevant, information for school or work.
- A named route to ask questions and arrange any further tests or review.
What affects the cost
Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:
- The length of the appointment and the seniority of the specialist.
- Whether skin prick testing is done on the same day, and how many allergens are tested.
- Whether blood tests (specific IgE) or more detailed component tests are arranged.
- Whether further investigations such as a supervised challenge are needed later.
- Whether follow-up appointments, letters and an emergency plan are included.
- Whether the appointment is for a child, which may take longer and involve a parent or carer.
- The consultation fee and how long the appointment will last.
- Whether same-day skin prick testing is included or charged separately.
- The cost of any blood tests and who reports them.
- Whether a follow-up appointment and a letter to your GP are included.
- What further tests might be needed and roughly what they involve.
- What happens, and what it costs, if the result is inconclusive.
- The cancellation policy.
On the NHS? Allergy assessment is available on the NHS by GP referral, usually prioritised for more severe or complex allergy; private appointments may be quicker or allow self-referral but follow the same principles.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.
Consent traps and marketing red flags
These are not small details. They are often where patients lose choice, time to reflect, or realistic expectations.
Consent traps
- Diagnosing allergy from a test result without anchoring it to the history.
- Recommending strict avoidance of major foods on the basis of sensitisation alone.
- Not explaining that a normal test does not fully rule out allergy.
- Failing to provide a clear emergency plan for someone who has had a severe reaction.
- Not making clear who sees the results and report, including school or employers.
Marketing red flags
- Offering large 'allergy panels' or 'intolerance profiles' without a clinical history.
- Selling IgG, hair, kinesiology or VEGA testing as allergy diagnosis.
- Promising a definite diagnosis from a single blood test.
- Encouraging broad food elimination based on test results alone.
Choosing a specialist safely
- Check the specialist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
- Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
- You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the specialist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
- Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
- You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.
Questions to ask your medical professional
Take this to your consultation. A good specialist will welcome every one of these.
- Based on my history, how likely is it that this is a true allergy?
- Which tests are you suggesting, and what will a positive or negative result actually change?
- What does this result mean for me specifically, given my symptoms?
- What should I avoid, and what should I not avoid unnecessarily?
- Do I need an adrenaline auto-injector and an emergency plan?
- If we cannot be sure today, what is the next step to reach a diagnosis?
- Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
- Will you be the specialist who carries out my appointment, and who looks after me afterwards?
- What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
- What does a realistic result look like — and what can this appointment not achieve?
- What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
- Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
- What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP referral, or can I book privately?
Will I find out exactly what I am allergic to in one appointment?
Why is my history so important if there are tests?
Should I stop my antihistamines before the appointment?
Are 'allergy testing kits' I can buy a good shortcut?
What if I have had a severe reaction before?
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How we made this page
Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →
Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.
Sources & standards: Allergy UK — Food allergy testing and diagnosing Anaphylaxis UK — Allergy testing BSACI — Find a specialist allergy clinic NHS — Allergies: diagnosis BSACI guidelines for the management of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (PMC)
Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.
Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.
Related guides: Intradermal allergy testing · Specific IgE blood tests · Component-resolved allergy testing · Oral food challenge · Allergy injections (subcutaneous immunotherapy)