How can I get my other allergies tested?

[Elspe]

I know from living with them that I have more allergies than I've been tested for. I live in a small seaside town with minimal health provision. I am puzzled as to why my allergies come on strong at times - this year since the start of September to present - and I asked if I could be referred to an allergy clinic. To me this means a place where you can be tested to find out what more allergies you have than you already know of...

I had been tested for allergies by skin-prick tests years ago, in a different hospital district.

After moving here, I was invited to what was called an allergy clinic - where they wanted to test me for the SAME allergies as before. This "clinic" was located in a corner of a shut-down ward, staffed by technicians, no dotors. Hello, I know what I am already allergic to! They said the problem was that they didn't have any other allergens to test for - showed me a small wooden case with a few phials in, the ones I had been tested for in the past. I argued there was no point, as I already knew. about my strong allergies to grass, feathers, etc: what was the point of going through the tests again and getting the unpleasant itchy results to merely confirm what I've known for decades? So they marked me down as having refused to be tested and sent me home.

So more recently, I asked once again for a visit to an allergy specialist. I got a rather confused call (from the practice, I think, asking exactly what it was I wanted). I explained that I wanted to test for other allergens and was rather blanked off. Nothing was possible, apparently.

Now, is my problem that the NHS simply doesn't HAVE any allergens than the usual (grass, feathers, eggs etc) Or is my problem that this district just doesn't?

I had given up on the idea since then, till reading today a post by someone who has been diagnosed with an allergy to a kind of mould that grows on fallen leaves in the woodland? So someone has access to samples. How can I get this level of access? Do I have to move house to get it?

[Shellc]

there is a private allergy clinic in the south of England . Look up Burghwood clinic , not sure if it’s still going . Very expensive unless you have private medical insurance . I also know that Guys hospital have a very good allergy consultant. Not sure if his name but probably a long wait to see him. The Brompton in London are very good , this is where I go. Try and get regretted to Prof Menzies gow. There are lots of treatments now for allergic asthma

[teddyd]

I had the patch test done on my back several weeks ago. Before I had the test the specialist nurse told me if these didnt show what I was allergic to they would do more extensive tests at a different hospital. I live in Scotland. I didnt asked for these tests my GP requested them.

[Popplemoggy]

HI Elspe,

My son had allergies from birth however back then the allergy testing didn't exist. Many years later he did have allergy testing on the NHS, we live in Kent. Im guessing these were the standard tests but they were very limited to what they were testing for. It was identified he was allergic to certain chemicals and this was by no means an extensive test. His situation didn't improve so we paid to see a private consultant. At the time she was the top in her field. She spent a couple of hours with him testing for such a wide range of things(vast food and non food items) and studying the whole picture in relation to all of his symptoms. The results were shocking, he was allergic to so many things. These were sent to his GP and tbh they weren't that Interested but this information is now on his records and it has enabled him to take control of his life and he has never looked back. At the time we paid £300 for the 2 hour apt but that was over 8 yrs ago. If you can afford it then taking this course of action should give you peace of mind and the answers you are seeking.

Best wishes and good luck.

popplemoggy

[fraid]

I know my main trigger for asthma is mould,of any kind.You say itchy,does that mean rash as in having contact with allergen eg cat etc?Or a systemic rash- eggs,cheese etc give me slight hives,also had to change to non bio laundry wash.I’m allergic to everything except water and the control,even my own hair down my back!so short now.I’m the itchiest thing on the planet 😁I take cetirizine when bad.Seeing the amount of dust in a shaft of sunlight just in my room makes me realise that you can’t avoid it,no matter how clean the house.I open windows for half hour a day watch dust fly out,fresh air in,don’t have any soft furnishings,curtains,only man made fibres,so minimalist really,but keeps most of my allergies at bay most of the time.

.Problem is even if they find everything you’re allergic to,what can be done?You can’t avoid everything,esp.when you can’t see what it is.

Good luck X

[Elspe]

I know. I take cetirizine every day, or I get that itch. As we live in the North, a clinic in the south is far from ideal - travelling always gives me grief. Just because - people. I DARE not fly after hearing from other allergic people. No matter how much we clean, there's always dust in out house, maybe from heavily-trafficed roads nearby. I can't go into a house with a cat or touch a dog without problems. As I have moderate asthma as well, we limit things by simply not going out much. COVID isolation has just been additional to what I already do.

Rash - yes. Both. As well as my hands - which appear to react to just living. Dark red, terribly itchy and unusable, skin peeling off... Creams don't help as I seem to be allergic to some components of the meds themselves.

[eleanordigby in reply to Elspe]

have you tried fexofenadine, most people with severe allergies think it’s the best one - standard dose is 180mg but you can be prescribed more if not enough

[peege]

It's very very useful to know at least some of your allergies.

I'm convinced that we change over the years perhaps becoming less allergic to some things, more allergic to others and developing yet other allergies. It's a pity you didn't take the testing you were offered at your new town, it would be interesting to compare & see if they were worse or better as the histamine level alter (or not).

2013 I had testing at a large university hospital in SW London. There were 6 I believe, mould, aspergillus, pets (or pet dander) and dust mite are the ones I remember . The most severe reaction was from mould, was angry red & sore after the allotted wait. 2nd was aspergillus but that reaction had died down to just pinkish after the wait. - perhaps birds/feathers/bird poop was another. I remember being so pleased I didn't have to re-home my darling choco Labrador and also that I was not allergic to dust mite (after getting rid of anything allergenic & becoming obsessive of dust for years.

I just know I've developed other allergies & a touch of hay-fever in the last few years or they've changed since moving to West Country from leafy Wimbledon. Why? I don't know, different pollens, trees, air, .

Aspergillus is the name of the horrible leaf mould ellergen and needs to be avoided at all costs by asthmatics. Its also found in compost & farmyards, there is no cure for aspergillosis and it can only be managed with antifungals.

It takes a very knowledgeable GP to recognise that aspergillosis could be a possibility like mine did in 2012 hence the test.

hope you can find testing nearby.