Questions which people commonly ask include:
What is an Allergy?
Allergies and intolerances are disorders of the immune system. When the body comes into contact with a particular substance it cannot tolerate, it can cause an exaggerated response. If you have a reaction to a particular food or substance in the environment (allergen) you are said to be allergic to, or intolerant to. In this way many allergies are the body's way of eliminating something it considers unsuitable and can be responsible for many complaints
How common are allergies and intolerances?
A survey of 5200 people in the UK carried out in January 2007 by Allergy UK ( a medical charity founded in 1991)
showed 59% reorted themselves as having food intolerance and 41% having classic food allergy symptoms. The full report can be seen at www.allergyuk.org under the " Stolen Lives 3" report. A startling statistic was that 67% stated that their GP did not understand their food problems.
What is the difference between an allergy and an intolerance?
If symptoms occur within an hour of eating/drinking/touching a particular substance, and especially if the symptoms include an itchy or swollen mouth or throat, itchy skin, rashes and vomiting, then an allergy is present. If symptoms occur between 1 hour and up to four days later, then an intolerance is present.
What am I allergic to?
You may be allergic or intolerant to all sorts of things. We test for over 100 items and if you think there is something specific that you are allergic or intolerant to , please bring a sample of that item with you. eg toothpaste, shampoo, drinks etc.