Hello everyone, one last question (sorry)
I have finally got a food allergy skin testing appointment (for next year)
Apparently if you think you are allergic to fruit or veg, you have to bring the fruit and veg along - If I knew what I was allergic to then I wouldn't need the test.
Is this reliable and worth the wait, or do I need to fork out for the private York test kit?
Thank you everyone
The issue with allergy tests whether they are private or on the NHS is that they are thousands of substances you can be allergic to. And in some cases you may not have an allergy but an intolerance.
The complaint about the York test is that doesn't check what component of a product you are allergic to. So it will state you are allergic to wheat but it won't state what wheat protein it is. This means you have to work that out yourself. Also while they test loads of things if you have an allergy to say something random e.g cherries then it won't be tested for.
In the case of not knowing what your allergies are you need to bring all fruit and veg that you have eaten even in combination when you had a reaction. That way it can be narrowed down.
Hello Bluebug,
Thank you for your reply. It is starting to sound like a waste of time and money. I did notice that York work dont any sort of additives, even the more common ones. I guess that York test with your blood where as the NHS does this with skin.
I don't think I want to be paying York £300 if all i get is a ruff guide.
Best wishes
Debs
Be aware even skin tests can give false positives.
I'm apparently allergic to bananas according to a skin test I did years ago but I have no problem with them. I am however allergic to other things that weren't tested for which maybe why I reacted.
I forgot to say if there are any non-food substances you may be allergic to bring them with you. Both myself and one of my sisters' have nickel allergies, I'm also allergic to some flowers which are used in perfumes and air fresheners.
Oh Bluebug, thats not so good - poor you. I feel like I am allergic to everything, that's because i feel so utterly terrible, occasionally i have a good week which doesn't make any sense.
Can I ask do you think the York Testing is more reliable than the NHS Skin testing. My homeopathic nutritionalist said that my terrible candida may show up as allergic reactions as it will be the candida reacting but of course - I just want to feel better, I suspect it will result in a massive list of things to avoid
I do have allergic reactions to liquid soaps - in particular the ones that are supposed to be more sensitive (Dove being the worst)
The York test looks at your IgE response to a list of substances.
Reviews of it basically state it says how likely you are to be allergic to something but doesn't determine if you are actually allergic. It also doesn't tell you with something like wheat which actual protein you are likely have issues with.
The York test also cannot find out if you are intolerant to anything as if you are intolerant to something you don't have an immune reaction. Intolerances can lead to malabsorption of nutrients such as B vitamins which can lead to an increase likelihood of diseases associated with malnutrition especially if you already have another condition such as hypothyroidism or diabetes.
In reality only by talking to another human about your reactions to certain substances can it be determined if you have an actual allergy, intolerance or the issue is something else.
So I would reckon the NHS allergy test coupled with talking to a clinician (if they actually listen to patients) is better to do than the York test.
Especially as microorganisms like Candida and Staphylococcus aureus are all over your body even if you are healthy. If you have one or more conditions e.g. hypothyroidism, diabetes linked to malabsorption of nutrients or immune problems then you are going to be more susceptible to getting infections from them and you don't necessarily need to have an intolerance or allergies to anything for this to happen.
Hello Bluebug,
This has been very helpful. Thank you very much.
The york test doesn't seem to be ideal, I guess with all the sufferingI was hoping for a quick fix. I will keep my appointment in January with the NHS and armed with my food diary might be able to get some advice
I really appreciate your help : >
Have you tried a kinsiologist who can usually reliably pinpoint what you are allergic/intollerant to at a fraction of a York test and also give you something to mediate the response as well?
Hello Samaja,
Im so glad you have found something helpful. It is not something I have looked in to but will now
Thank you very much
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