Is an allergy test worth it?

[HotToes]

For the last few years I've been getting recurrent sinus infections and in-between them having allergy symptoms: stingy itchy eyes, itchy ears, slight sore throat. I don't think it's hey fever as I get it in winter too. It's really bad at the moment. I'm on daily steroid nasal spray and regularly saline rinse my nose. I have no idea what I might be allergic to though.

I'm wondering weather it's worth me getting one of those environmental allergy tests you can do easily privately. I saw one with yorktest.com for about £250. I've looked into a few companies and you only seem to be able to get the environmental tests along with food allergies too rather than on its own. I'm not sure why that is.

Anyway has anyone had one and found it helpful?

I doubt it's reputable. Have a read here about testing for food allergies. https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/food-allergy-testing-and-diagnosing/

I thought the yorktest was a load of nonsense. Always suggests allergies even if you don't have one. I'd save your money.

If it's a non IGE allergy I think all you can do is donn elimination diet.

If it is an IGE allergy then you'd know about it!

Have a look at Nuffield. I’m planning on doing their inhalatory one as I’m really struggling with sneezing etc even on the days it is a low pollen count.

@ColleenDonaghy I'm not after a good allergy. I think it's an environmental one. I don't have any symptoms that suggest it's to do with food.

@SpinningTops thank you for your reply. What made you think it was nonsense?

I know, it's just a reliable source I'm aware of (DC with a peanut allergy) - my point was that only ige testing is reputable, there's a lot of allergy testing available but most of it is BS. As per @SpinningTops post.

@ColleenDonaghy brill thank you. I'll look into IGE testing.

@PauliesWalnuts it's horrible isn't it. I don't get sneezing really but today my ears are soon itchy and my tear ducts too. Have you found any antihistamines work for you? I'm on my second type of antihistamines prescribed from my GP but they don't seem to make a difference at all.

I have a cat, a feather duvet, a bit of mold in bathroom...it could be anything!!

My son has allergies and is under consultant care. So have looked into it quite a bit. Most of my experience is with food allergies and via skin prick testing which is the only reliable definitive allergy test as far as I'm aware. We did have environmental tests done too eg cat saliva but also through skin prick.

If it's a non IGE allergy which it will be if not instant reactions it will be a lot harder to detect. With food it's mostly through elimination and very difficult to be sure. Probably even harder with environmental.

This might be worth a read before you part with money

amp.theguardian.com/society/2015/jun/04/bogus-allergy-tests-causing-real-harm-say-experts