EdgCARE Private Allergy Service
Dr Rachel Baigel, who runs allergy clinics at the North Middlesex Hospital, and is on two national committees contributing to the National Allergy Strategy and the British Registry for Immunotherapy, has brought her allergy expertise to EdgCARE. Allergic disease is on the rise, and is estimated to affect 20-40% of the population. At Edgcare, we can offer specialist diagnosis, to both adults and children, including skin prick testing and blood testing, and provide management plans and adrenaline autoinjectors where these are needed.
Skin Prick Tests
Skin prick tests, are a reliable method for diagnosing allergies when interpreted by an experienced healthcare professional alongside a detailed clinical history. Widely used for diagnosing food and environmental allergies, these tests involve placing a small amount of allergen on the forearm, followed by a gentle scratch with a sterile lancet. This can cause a local skin reaction, e.g. a small, itchy hive, indicating a potential allergy. In very rare cases (roughly 1 in 10,000 tests) the skin prick test can cause a more severe allergic reaction, which is why it is performed with emergency equipment available. The test results are available within 10 minutes and the results will be discussed during the appointment.
Blood tests
Allergy blood tests can be used where skin prick testing is not possible. These are slightly less specific than skin prick tests, and can lead to more false positives, therefore skin prick tests are generally the preferred first line investigation for allergy. However, they can be useful to further explore an allergy after the initial skin prick testing has been performed, and if needed, this will be discussed during your appointment.
Immunotherapy
Allergy Immunotherapy for hayfever or rhinitis (itchy/sneezy nose and eyes)
Immunotherapy is a safe and medically proven way of treating allergies, and training the immune system to become less allergic. Where patients have continued to suffer from symptoms with standard medications such as antihistamines and steroid sprays, immunotherapy can be enormously beneficial and significantly improve patients’ quality of life. The treatment is made from natural extracts of the allergenic substance (e.g. grass) and is not medication as such, but instead, provides a high dose of the allergenic substance to the immune system in a way that promotes immune tolerance. Once started, it is taken for 3-5 years as a daily tablet which dissolves under the tongue (or sometimes a spray). As immunotherapy treats the allergy, effects of this treatment are felt for several years after the course has been completed.
Before immunotherapy can be initiated, an appointment will be needed to confirm the specific allergen, usually via skin prick test. The first dose of immunotherapy will be given in clinic and following this, patients will be sent home with the first three months of treatment. Where the course of immunotherapy is maintained for three years, studies have found persisting benefit for many years beyond the original course, therefore most patients will receive 3 years of treatment (although this can be longer in some cases, where continuing benefit is seen).
Costs
Initial Allergy appointment (1 hour) £250
Discussion of allergic conditions, (including food allergy, pet allergy, hayfever, dust mite allergy, pets and mould allergy, eczema, asthma) examination, skin prick testing where needed (additional fee), discussion of results, allergy management plan given and discussed (where needed).
Skin Prick Testing £175
These will only be performed in the context of an allergy consultation. No anthistamine should be taken for 5 days prior to the test.
Follow-up Allergy Appointment (45 minutes) £200
For patients who have already had their initial allergy appointment and require followup. Skin prick testing can be performed in this appointment.
Immunotherapy initiation appointment £200 (45 mins)
The immunotherapy initiation appointment is purely for initiation of immunotherapy, and does not include consultation regarding the suitability of treatment. This should be conducted within an initial allergy appointment or followup-allergy appointment.
Cost of Immunotherapy:
£110 per month per allergen
