Allergy testing and immunotherapy in the UK

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Define the clinical question

See a GP if you suspect an allergy in yourself or your child. Describe the suspected exposure, the time before symptoms, what happened afterwards and whether the reaction recurred. This supports targeted investigations rather than an indiscriminate panel.

Breathing difficulty, rapidly increasing swelling or another life-threatening reaction needs emergency help, not a routine testing appointment. The NHS allergy guide ↗ distinguishes assessment from management of serious reactions.

How investigations are selected

A GP may arrange tests or refer to an allergy clinic. Depending on the history, investigations can include skin tests, blood tests and supervised challenges. At Guy's and St Thomas' ↗, clinicians discuss the reaction history before selecting appropriate tests.

Ask your own clinic about preparation. Some medicines affect particular tests, but do not stop them independently based on another service's leaflet. Bring previous results and a medicine list.

Understanding immunotherapy

This is specialist-supervised treatment for a particular confirmed allergic condition, not a universal injection for every allergy. Ask which allergen is targeted, why standard treatment is insufficient, the intended course length and how adverse reactions are monitored.

NHS availability depends on indications and the service. For private care, check clinical qualifications, arrangements for treating a reaction and the full cost, including monitoring.

What to obtain afterwards

Request a written explanation of confirmed allergies, uncertain findings, necessary restrictions and your action plan for a reaction. Establish what will be shared with your GP.

Avoid eliminating large food groups based on an unclear commercial report. A positive test needs interpretation alongside the symptoms. Do not perform home allergen challenges to check a result yourself.