Unlocking the Truth About Home Allergy Tests: What Your GP Wants You to Know!

In this insightful interview, Simon Williams, CEO of Anaphylaxis UK, talks to Dr Helen Evans-Howells, a GP with a special interest in allergies, about the effectiveness of home allergy tests. Dr Evans-Howells explains that while many patients may come to her with results from a home allergy test, it is not a helpful tool in diagnosing allergies. She emphasises that taking a patient's history is the most crucial part of determining if someone has allergies. She also explains that in the case of IgE allergies a positive test result doesn't necessarily mean a person is allergic and a negative result doesn't necessarily mean they aren't.
Dr Helen also notes that home allergy tests are particularly unreliable for people with eczema, especially young children, and that avoiding foods based solely on test results can actually increase the risk of developing allergies.
This interview is a must-watch for anyone interested in allergies and the importance of accurate diagnosis.

[@kayreeve.author]

This is interesting to hear. I've been going to my GP with increasing dietary issues for 15 years. I had a very bad reaction to an apple last week. I contacted the surgery and was told via message, to rub a piece on my arm and test myself. I was shocked! No history asked and made to feel like no one really cared how ill I was feeling. Ive had anxiety, hayfever and asthma and lifelong, IBS 15 years, and mental health issue for two years, plus 'countless' other symptoms that I now believe could be allergy and intolerance related. Plus I have ADHD which may be food affected. So feeling quite overlooked and overwhelmed, I have sent my samples off. If that means a GP will at least take notice and arrange clinical testing to follow up, then it's worth every penny. If they don't listen, at least I'm trying to help myself.

[@kasiakozek4249]

Please listen to doctor Barry on Salicylates allergy. God Bless.

[@kayreeve.author]

Thank you. I have avoided anti-inflammatory medication for over 30 years, especially Naproxen, due to it aggravating asthma, unless there's a rare but greater need for one or two days.