Diagnosis - Do I have an Allergy?

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms mentioned on our "What is Allergy?" page, this may indicate you have an allergy. If you think that you have an allergy or an intolerance there are a number of ways that you can go forward from here.

Our advice would be to contact your GP and ask for a referral to your nearest Allergy Specialist. You can find out who this is from our helpline, but you will still need to be referred by your GP.

Our Members' Nationwide Support Contact Network provides a valuable source of assistance for people with allergy. Members also receive an information pack of useful information on their particular allergy. Our Telephone Helpline is a source of information and immediate support.

Diagnosis of Allergy

Tell the practitioner about your symptoms:

• Do they occur at any particular time of the day or year and how often
• Which part of your body is affected?
• The severity of your symptoms
• Family history of similar complaints
• Self help remedies which seem to help
• Triggers i.e. whether or not there is anything in particular which makes your symptom worse
• If the symptoms appear to be linked to a particular place, i.e. home or work environment?

Answers to these questions can help toward identifying the allergens that cause the reaction.

Even if you know what is causing your allergic reaction, Allergy testing may be used to establish the specific allergen. This is especially important if you have had a severe reaction and if there is any confusion as to whether your symptoms are caused by a true allergy (involving the production of IgE) or whether some other process is involved.

Please click here to see Allergy UK Endorsed products that may help you as part of your allergy management programme.