An allergic reaction is when your body has an unusual immune system response to a particular material.
When particles of pollen, pet dander or certain types of food enter our bodies, they're called antigens. If your body has a sensitivity to that particle, it mistakes the harmless element for a dangerous invader.
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Many people are allergic to certain foods which can cause illness and distress, and in the most serious cases, cases can lead to a life-threatening condition. Allergies to certain foods can be present from birth or may develop over time as a person grows and matures. Whether present from early childhood or developed later in life, allergies cause significant suffering which in most cases can be avoided if only you knew what was causing the problems.
You can get the answers you need by testing with Better2Know. We offer the broadest range of food allergy testing, available to you at one of our many clinics across the UK. With Better2Know, you can test for:
- Food and Inhalants (a comprehensive screen of possible allergens)
- Children’s Allergy Screen
- Food Allergy Screen
- Shellfish and Finfish Screen
- Nuts and Seeds Screen
- Milk and Milk Proteins Screen
- Shellfish Screen
- Fruit Screen
A food allergy test is right for you if you have experienced any kind of illness following a meal. Not all allergies will cause immediate symptoms as some allergic reactions are caused by certain cells in the immune system which delay the onset of symptoms for up to several hours. If you have ever experienced any of the symptoms listed below you should consider getting tested.
Typical symptoms of a food allergy can include:
- Swollen lips, tongue, mouth, and swelling around the eyes and face
- Itching or other discomforts inside the mouth, throat and ears
- Wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, swelling of the airways
- Difficulty swallowing
- Raised red and itchy skin, red blotches, hives or rashes
- Gastric pain, digestive problems, diarrhoea and / or vomiting
- Anaphylaxis (rapid heartbeat, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness). This is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical intervention.
Young children under the age of three will commonly be allergic to at least one food item. It is estimated that around 7% of children of this age will have a food allergy. Fortunately, most children who are allergic to milk, eggs, wheat or soy will get better or grow out of their allergy by the time they start school, but this is not always the case.
Allergies to foods such as peanuts, or allergies which develop later in life are likely to persist for ever. Rates of allergies have risen sharply over the past two decades, so it is particularly important that you get yourself and your loved ones tested if you suspect an allergy may be the cause of your illness.
To get tested and find out what is causing your ill health, please call the phone number displayed above to speak to a member of our team.