Any experience with private allergy testing?

[Sleepless2022]

My almost 1 year old was referred to the allergy clinic at 7 months by paediatrics after IGE reactions to eggs and oats. She warned it would be a wait - over 4 months on she doesn’t even have an appointment date. I have chased. In the meantime due to the reactions she was advised to avoid nuts (all) but continue to intro other allergens.

She also had severe eczema until 4-5 months when I dropped dairy (BF) and saw significant improvement. She has been prescribed hydrolysed formula but I have continued to BF. She is not under a dietitian and has been discharged from paediatrics to dermatology for her skin also. Again we are still on the waiting list for an appointment. I know she is in the system but am feeling badly let down and unsupported.

We are now considering private allergy testing so we can move on with her diet, I am very conscious of the delay in introducing key allergens. Has anyone had experience of this, costs or any recommendations? We’re in London.

Thanks in advance

We are planning to take our 6-month old for his first appointment with a private allergy specialist in London, so happy to report on our experience then! The costs are eye-watering - I think the initial consultation including the skin prick testing will be £600-700. If we need allergy blood tests, those are are £500-1000+. If hospital-based food challenge test is needed later, that’s £1150. Feel free to PM me for more details or a chat.

I had medical insurance when we went down the private route initially. We were then transferred to the nhs clinic. The good thing was it was all so quick, but the costs were expensive. What is your child actually eating? At the end of the day if they are allergic to egg, milk, oats and nuts, you have to avoid those and that may not change for years, concentrate on what they can eat, an allergy test may throw up other allergies but maybe you have already found them all? What haven't you tried? Allergy clinics were cancelled during the pandemic so waits are longer than usual but it won't be that long in the scheme of things.