Holistic Allergy is a private allergy testing clinic run by Dr Elena Salagean. She is a GMC registered allergy consultant with over 30 years of experience in with allergy and asthma. Our clinic is based at Nuffield Hospital in Bournemouth, Dorset.
Currently, we only see new patients 16 years or over for various types of skin prick tests or IgE blood tests. These can include food allergy tests, pollen and hayfever, pet allergy testing, and other tests to various allergens.
We can also consult and provide immunotherapy for various allergies.
We can see patients from all over Dorset or even further afield. We have so far had patients from cities, towns and smaller villages in Dorset including Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, Christchurch, Dorchester etc.
As the allergy test has to be conducted in a clinical environment, you would need to attend our clinic based in Bournemouth.
What is a skin prick test for allergies?
A skin prick test takes about 20-30 minutes to perform. This involves first placing various allergens that you may be allergic to on your forearm. This is then followed by a very superficial skin prick to absorb the allergen into the epidermal layer of your skin. This is the top skin layer only. The skin prick doesn’t usually hurt, and there will be no blood coming out, as it is very superficial.
The skin prick test is therefore suitable for the majority of people.
In some cases, for example of severe eczema or other skin rashes or skin infections, it may not be the right test for you.
IgE Blood Test for Allergies in Dorset
An alternative to the skin prick test that we can offer in our Dorset allergy testing clinic is IgE blood testing. This involves a blood test that can be taken by one of the nurses at the hospital. The blood sample then gets taken to the lab and analysed for antibodies to the allergens you are worried about.
If we need to do an IgE blood test, then there is an extra charge payable directly to Nuffield Hospital in Bournemouth, Dorset.
Although skin prick test results can be read within 20 minutes, a blood test can take several days.
What allergens can I be tested for in Dorset?
We can offer both skin prick and IgE blood testing to allergens such as in the table below. We have grouped it by different categories. Please note that these are just examples and the list is not exhaustive. There are hundreds of allergens that we can test your sensitivity to.
| Category | Sub-Category | Includes Test For |
|---|---|---|
| Inhalant Allergy Tests | Dust and Mites | Dust mite (waste products from dust mites) |
| Outdoor Allergens | Grasses, trees and weeds pollen | |
| Animal Dander | Animals | |
| Seafood Allergy Tests | Shellfish Varieties | Lobster, crab, prawn/shrimp, scallops |
| Fish Types | Salmon, tuna, mackerel, cod | |
| Plant-Based Allergy Tests | Fruit Selections | Strawberry, kiwi fruit |
| Vegetable and Legumes | Peanut, soybeans | |
| Cereal Grains | Barley, rye, wheat, oats | |
| Animal Product Allergy Tests | Dairy and Egg | Cow’s milk, egg white |
| Meat Products | Chicken, turkey | |
| Nut and Seed Allergy Tests | Tree Nuts | Almond, walnut, pecan |
| Seeds | Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds | |
| Insect Allergy Tests | Stinging Insects | Honey bee, common wasp |
| Spices and Herbs Allergy Tests | Spice Variety | Clove, cardamom |
| Antibiotic Allergy Tests | Common Antibiotics | Amoxicillin and other Penicillins. (IgE blood test only) |
What do I do after an allergy test?
If the allergy test comes back as positive, then we will discuss your management options and offer follow-up as appropriate. Management we offer includes prescriptions or recommendations for symptomatic treatment or for immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy is considered a treatment for allergies that can reduce the allergic response the next time you are exposed to the corresponding allergen.
If your allergy test is negative, then we could consider other diagnoses, for example, a food intolerance in the case of food sensitivity
Should I go through the NHS or Private?
Our allergy testing methods are the same as the ones used in the NHS. Skin prick testing, our preferred method, is also the gold standard in allergy diagnosis in the UK and Worldwide.
The advantage of choosing a private allergy test in Dorset is the much shorter waiting times. Privately, the waiting times are usually 1-2 weeks. In some cases, we may even be able to see you in the same week.
Do note that if you are taking an antihistamine, you need to have stopped this for 5 days before your allergy test. This could sometimes delay the appointment, as otherwise, it can affect the results.
Contact us today if you live in Dorset and would like to find out whether an allergy test would be appropriate for you, or to make a booking.