Food and Inhalants Allergy Panels

If you’re exploring private allergy testing, understanding the difference between a skin prick test and a blood allergy test can help you make the right choice for your health.

A skin prick test involves placing a small drop of an allergen onto the skin after making a tiny break in the surface, allowing the allergen to enter and trigger a localised response. A blood allergy test, by contrast, requires only a simple blood draw, which is then sent to an accredited laboratory and analysed for specific IgE antibodies against your chosen allergens.

Which is better – skin prick test or blood allergy test?

For most patients, a blood allergy test is the safer, more convenient, and more accurate option. Skin prick testing carries a risk of triggering the very symptoms you are trying to investigate — including itching, swelling, and in rare cases, a severe allergic reaction. Blood allergy testing eliminates this risk entirely, making it particularly well-suited to patients with eczema, sensitive skin, or those currently taking antihistamines, which can interfere with skin prick results.

Blood allergy tests also deliver measurable, quantifiable results — showing not just whether you are allergic to a substance, but how allergic you are. This level of detail supports more informed clinical decisions and personalised management plans.

For accurate allergy diagnosis, patient comfort, and reliable results, blood allergy testing is widely regarded as the gold standard.

A TDL allergy test result measures specific IgE antibodies in your blood to identify which substances may trigger allergic reactions. It can indicate the likelihood of an allergy and give a general idea of sensitivity level, often reported in graded ranges rather than exact severity. However, higher levels do not always predict how severe your symptoms will be in real life. Results should be interpreted alongside your medical history. After receiving your report, discuss it with a clinician, avoid confirmed triggers, and follow tailored advice such as medication, monitoring, or referral for further allergy management or specialist care if needed.

Yes. Allergy tests for children can be particularly important, giving understanding as to why a child might have a constantly running nose, a tight chest or a rash that comes and goes. We know that children might be scared of having some blood taken, which is why we offer numbing cream. This makes the blood draw almost undetectable. Our team of nurses are experienced at helping our younger patients feel comfortable.

It is important to seek medical advice if your allergy results show that you have a moderate or severe allergic reaction to a substance. There is a risk that exposure could result in a severe allergic reaction, which is some cases can be fatal. An appointment with one of our GPs is the best action to take. They will discuss your results with you, and advise on next steps, including whether a prescribe adrenaline pen (‘epipen’) is needed.

Yes. You can book an allergy test at Haven Medical without needing to see a doctor first. You will attend an appointment with one of our nursing team, who will take a small sample of blood. This will be sent to our partner lab who will analyse your blood sample for the allergens you have requested. A detailed allergy report will be sent to you, via email. The report is detailed and clearly shows those substances that you are showing a sensitivity to. As with any medical report, it is always advised that you seek further medical advise to ensure that any necessary precautions, such as carrying an adrenaline pen are put in place. This is particularly important if your results indicate you have a moderate to severe reaction to a substance.

No — and this is one of the key advantages of choosing a private blood allergy test over a skin prick test.

Antihistamines work by blocking histamine receptors in the body, which is why they must be stopped before skin prick testing — typically for at least 3 to 7 days beforehand, depending on the antihistamine — as they directly suppress the skin’s reaction to allergens and can produce false negative results.

A blood allergy test works differently. It measures allergen-specific IgE antibodies in your bloodstream, which are produced by your immune system independently of antihistamine activity. Because antihistamines do not affect IgE antibody levels in the blood, they have no impact on the accuracy of your results.
This means you can take your regular antihistamines — whether cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine, or chlorphenamine — right up to and including the day of your blood test, without any risk of compromising your results.

This makes private blood allergy testing particularly well-suited to patients with chronic urticaria, hay fever, eczema, or perennial allergic rhinitis, who may rely on daily antihistamines to manage their symptoms and find it difficult or uncomfortable to stop taking them

Absolutely. It’s common for children and adults to be scared of needles and worried about a blood draw. We offer numbing cream, which means the blood draw is virtually undetectable. Our nursing team are experienced at working with people who are scared of needles and we even have a paediatric nurse who has years of experience.