When you know you are allergic to at least one food but you are unsure which ones, testing can take the risk and guesswork out of your diet.
Overview
What is a food allergy?
Your body mistakenly treats certain foods as a threat and releases antibodies to fight that threat. This is what causes the reaction.
Is an intolerance and an allergy the same thing?
No. An intolerance may make you feel unwell but an allergy, in its most severe form, can pose a risk to life.
What are the symptoms?
Typical symptoms range from sneezing, itching and watering eyes to facial swelling, hives and, in worst cases, anaphylaxis.
How do I know if I have an allergy?
A simple blood test is all you need. Book yours now.
Did You Know?
Around 21 million UK adults have some form of allergy. Around 10 million have more than one allergy.
Start your allergy search
How often have you heard it said that someone has eaten something that ‘didn’t agree with them’? You may have said it yourself, and you may find that certain foods trigger certain reactions, like rashes or nausea.
Millions of people in the UK have an intolerance or allergy to certain foods. But if your allergy is relatively mild, it can sometimes be difficult to know which is an intolerance (unpleasant but not life threatening) or an allergy (potentially far more serious).
It can also be difficult to pinpoint the allergy, especially of you are allergic to more than one food.
Allergy testing can take the risk and guesswork out of your diet, giving you certainty over the foods you can eat - and the ones you should avoid.
What types of food can trigger allergies?
Virtually all types of food can trigger allergic reactions, from fish to fruit to nuts. Some types of allergy are more common in children (milk and eggs, for example). Some are more common in adults (e.g. fruits). And some are relatively common in both (peanuts, nuts, fish and shellfish). Children who have food allergies are likely to also have (or have had) eczema. The worse their eczema is/was, the greater the likelihood that their food allergy will be a severe one.
What are the symptoms of an allergy?
A food allergy can affect several areas of the body, often at the same time. Symptoms can include:
- Itchy mouth, throat and ears
- Persistent coughing
- Vomiting
- A raised, red, itchy rash anywhere on the body (hives)
- Swelling around the face, particularly the eyes, lips, tongue and roof of the mouth
- Dizziness
The most severe reaction to a food allergy, anaphylaxis, can be life threatening. Severe reactions are most common in shellfish allergies, but can occur with any food allergy. If you experience shortness of breath, feel faint and have clammy skin and a racing heartbeat, dial 999.
How do I get tested?
Better2Know offers a simple blood test designed to check for a wide range of food allergies commonly found in the UK, including:
- Codfish
- Cows’ Milk
- Egg White
- Egg Yolk
- Kiwi
- Peanut
- Sesame
- Soya
- Wheat
Once you know what foods you are allergic to, you can avoid your ‘trigger’ foods with confidence.
To book your test contact Better2Know now on the phone number above.