Allergy Self Test Kits
Many people have an allergy to either certain foods or substances. It is however often hard to identify clearly what the specific allergen is that is causing the problem - which is where self test kits come in.
Home testing kits for allergies are a quick and easy way to get accurate answers and diagnosis' from the comfort of your own home. Easy to use and quick to get your results, this can help you make some life changing decisions about foods, your lifestyle and what you do.
QuickLinks
+ Food allergy home test kit
+ Dairy and egg home test kit
+ Nut allergy home test kit
+ Pollen allergy home test kit
+ Dust mite self test kits
+ Latex allergy home test kit
+ Animal hair allergy home test kit
What Is An Allergy?
An allergy is a reaction that the body has to a certain food or substance, these are called the allergen. In an allergic reaction the body’s immune system identifies the allergen as a threat and produces an inappropriate response. It isn’t known why the immune system behaves in this way to what are usually harmless substances.
Common allergic reactions are to pollen produced from grass and trees, certain foods and medicines like penicillin. Allergies can range from a food allergy which causes nausea to a severe allergy which causes anaphylaxis, a life-threatening response. If you have any symptoms that affect your breathing or consciousness, then seek medical help immediately.
If however you want to identify what you are allergic to then the traditional process can take time and you may not get all the tests you need on the NHS. This is where a home test can provide you with quick answers in the comfort of your own home.
Food Allergy Home Test Kits
Depending on the test provider you choose then you will either have to provide a blood sample or strands of hair. Tests that use blood samples determine the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in the blood. IgE antibodies are antibodies released when the body feels threatened, they are one of five classes of immunoglobulins present in the blood in small amounts.
Other tests may ask you to send in a hair sample. These tests are sometimes seen as more accurate as they test for changes at cellular level. Other benefits of using hair rather than blood is that its non-invasive, tends to be less expensive and the hair stores information for long periods of time and is less easy to contaminate.
Food allergy tests on the market can test up to 150 different foods with everything from almonds and apricots to salmon and sesame. Non-food items can also include eucalyptus and even pigeon feathers.
You will also find food tests on the market that test for one or two food groups only like dairy and eggs or tests that just look at nut allergies.
Non-Food Allergy Home Test Kits
Other common allergy home tests that can be carried out include; pollen, house dust mite allergy test, latex allergy test and animal hair. Pollen allergies affect an incredible 1/5 of people in the UK and during the pollen season can make life unbearable. Many pollen allergy tests will help identify if you are allergic to pollen but also which pollen, some will look at 16 common pollens including grass, ragweed and cypress.
House dust mites can be found in bedding, carpets, soft furnishings and clothing. The allergy is often not caused by the mite itself but by its droppings. It is a common allergy but can cause reactions very similar to asthma.
Latex is a substance that comes from the sap of the rubber tree. People who have an allergic reaction are allergic to the proteins in natural rubber latex. It can be a real problem for people who work in healthcare and have to wear rubber gloves. Allergic reactions to latex include hives, itching and or a runny nose.
Animal hair allergies are not always solely a reaction to your pet hair but usually an allergic reaction to pet ‘dander’ which is dry animal skin, hair, feathers urine or saliva-which are all small particles found in the air we breathe. Symptoms of animal hair allergies include hives, rashes, conjunctivitis and asthma.