Allergy

Tests and treatment for allergies and asthma

Our consultant allergists are leaders in their field, offering diagnosis and treatment of allergies and asthma for both adults and children.

Do I have an allergy?

An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a normally harmless substance, such as foods, pollen, cats or dust. This is known as an allergen. The body's immune system treats the allergen as an invader and reacts, resulting in allergy symptoms that can be anywhere from annoying to harmful. Symptoms could includes sneezes and itches, rashes, falls in blood pressure and airway narrowing, which leads to difficulty breathing. Over 18 million people in the UK have an allergy. Our consultant allergists test, diagnose and create treatment plans for many common allergies, including asthma, hay fever and allergic rhinitis, food allergies, reactions to medication, skin allergies, severe reactions to insect stings and more.

Health Fact vs Fiction - Why am I allergic?

In episode 14 of HCA Healthcare UK’s Health Fact vs Fiction podcast, host Anna Richardson chats with Dr Helen Brough from HCA UK’s The Portland Hospital.

They discuss the causes of allergies such as asthma, hay fever and food allergies, and why it's the most common chronic disease in Europe.

Our expertise in allergy testing

We have a comprehensive team of consultant allergists for both adults and paediatrics, together with access to up-to-date diagnostic allergy tests.

Need to know

Bronchial challenge test

Asthma is a common condition that causes lung inflammation and makes it difficult to breathe. This inflammation is sometimes caused by allergies or overly sensitive airways. A bronchial challenge test ‘challenges’ your airways by asking you to inhale doses of a powder and then measures your lungs' reaction.

Skin prick test for allergies

A skin prick test is usually the first test to be carried out when looking for an allergen.A skin prick test is a quick, painless and effective way of testing for common allergens which are eaten or inhaled

Food challenge allergy testing

A food challenge is considered the 'gold standard' diagnostic test for food allergies. It is the only true way of knowing whether your child will have an allergic reaction to a food. These tests are also useful to check whether a child has outgrown their allergy to a certain food or medicine.