We perform diagnostic skin prick tests for food and drug and radiocontrast media and challenges to food drug and radiocontrast media also on our day-case unit where required. We also offer desensitisation to certain drugs (for example aspirin) if required.

We offer desensitisation (specific immunotherapy) for bee and wasp venom allergy, and a range of inhalant allergens involved in triggering severe allergic rhinoconjunctivitis where appropriate.

We also offer management advice on cases of severe chronic spontaneous urticaria where high dose antihistamines have not proved sufficient to control symptoms, where second line treatments may be required.

Conditions we diagnose and treat

Anaphylaxis

We can provide diagnosis, assessment and management if you have a history that suggests anaphylaxis.

We particularly see patients with complex or severe anaphylaxis, for example where:

the cause is unclear
avoidance is difficult
multiple food groups are involved, or if there are complex dietary consequences of multiple food avoidances
you also have asthma
the anaphylaxis is brought on by exercise.

We can give you advice on avoiding allergens (where applicable) and management plans (including training in adrenaline auto-injectors) with the aim of reducing your symptoms happening, reducing your need to attend as an emergency, and improving your quality of life.

Food allergy

We also see patients with possible food allergies, to confirm and manage your allergy.

This is particularly for patients where

they have severe symptoms, such as potentially life-threatening airway, breathing or circulatory symptoms
the cause is unclear
the patient is deemed to be at high risk of unintended exposure
there are multiple food group allergies.

Insect venom allergy

We investigate and manage severe reactions to insect venom, and reactions involving significant physiological disturbance of your airway, breathing or circulation. We see patients with allergies to bee and wasp venom, and can offer soecific immunotherapy where appropriate.

Specific immunotherapy clinic

At this clinic, you will be given specific immunotherapy (desensitisation) to allergens such as bee or wasp venom, tree or grass pollens, house dust mites, cats, dogs, horses.

Clinics are held on Tuesday mornings (for perennial allergens) and Tuesday afternoons (for seasonal allergens).

Drug and radio-contrast media allergy investigation service

We investigate and provide skins tests to drugs outside of our general allergy clinics. You may be invited to a general allergy clinic first, so we can get the clinical information we need for separate testing.

If you have peri-operative anaphylaxis, you may be referred directly to our anaesthetist consultant colleague (Dr Linda Nel) or direct to the drug allergy multi-disciplinary team meeting. Dr Linda Nel holds a monthly Friday morning peri-operative allergy clinic and attends a monthly MDT for the purposes of communication and continuing professional development with the other members of our adult and paediatric drug allergy service.

Day cases

We carry out provocation tests with foods or drugs to investigate allergies and/or find suitable alternatives where ongoing avoidance of a specific drug of drug family is required.

Desensitisation to drugs may be carried out where necessary and where this is possible. There are held on Monday morning (Dr Chin) and Thursday morning (Dr Griffiths). These appointments are in high demand and are staffed with members of the senior clinical team with a high staff to patient ratio. Please make sure you attend your appointment, or cancel with enough notice that we can invite someone else to attend.

Coming in as a day patient

If you're coming in as a day case, you will be asked to stop taking antihistamines, certain cardiac medications or antidepressants which may interfere with the tests. Please contact us in good time before you come in if you need to check about stopping any medication.

If you're coming in for a planned food challenge, we may ask you to bring in a portion of the food you are being tested for (appropriately cooked and stored) before bringing to the unit, where a fridge is available. If different foods are requested, there should be individually prepared and packaged to prevent cross contamination.

Diagnosis and treatment