Which Test for Me?
You need to know what it is you’re allergic to, before you and your healthcare professional can take steps to manage your allergy. Broadly speaking, allergens (that is, the substances that trigger your allergic reaction) fall into two categories – airborne, and non-airborne allergens. Airborne allergens include pollens and animal dander, while non-airborne allergens are usually found in things you eat and drink.
Further information on each Imutest kit is available by clicking on the links for each kit.
Airborne Allergies:
The common symptoms of airborne allergies tend to be associated with the upper respiratory tract and often include:
- runny or blocked nose, sometimes with sneezing
- watering and itchy eyes – or extremely dry eyes
- wheezing, coughing and /or difficulty in breathing
- possibly itchy or red skin, especially if you have touched the allergen
The Imutest airborne self-test range includes:
Imutest Airborne Allergy Screen Kit: to help diagnose allergies to cats, dust mites and grass pollen – these are the three of the most common airborne allergens which account for 90-95% of all atopic allergy symptoms.
Imutest Cat Allergy Kit: if your symptoms seem to worsen when a cat enters, or has been in a room, using this Imutest will help confirm one way or another if you have a cat allergy.
Imutest Dust Mite Allergy Kit: an allergic reaction to dust mites can lead to allergy-induced asthma symptoms like wheezing and tightness in the chest. The Imutest Dust Mite Allergy Kit will soon tell you if these creatures are the culprits behind your symptoms, which may also include itchy throat and tongue, vomiting and headache.
Imutest Hay Fever Allergy Kit: pollen is the most common allergen of all, and, because it triggers cold-like symptoms, you may be allergic to it without knowing. Use Imutest to ascertain if grass pollen is to blame for those summer sneezes and wheezes.
Non-airborne Allergies:
Allergies, and food allergies in particular, are often confused with intolerances. Food allergies involve a specific immune response to a protein in a food, while intolerances – other than those to wheat/cereals - do not. Most non-airborne allergies are food allergies.
Typical symptoms of an allergic reaction to a food or drink include:
- blotches, sometimes raised, on the skin (also called hives)
- sudden sharp abdominal pain after eating
- nausea with or without vomiting
- a sudden dizziness often combined with abdominal pains
- difficulty in breathing
- a feeling of doom
Often these symptoms start off with an itchy mouth or throat and, occasionally, difficulty swallowing. Imutest kits which may be useful in these cases include:
Imutest Allergy Check Kit: If your body is having a genuine allergic reaction – rather than displaying an intolerance – the secret is in your blood. This simple Imutest checks to see if your blood contains the IgE antibody that signals your immune system is treating a harmless intruder as an allergen to be fought off, and causing the symptoms you are experiencing.
Imutest Milk Allergy Kit: While it’s a fact that an allergy to cow’s milk is one of the most common causes of severe discomfort in infants, adults can develop a milk allergy later in life, too. This simple 30 minute test will tell you whether a cow’s milk allergy is behind symptoms including an itchy red rash, a swollen mouth or tongue, nausea, diarrhoea and even a runny or blocked nose.
Imutest Egg Allergy Kit: assesses quickly and accurately if what are typically symptoms of gastro-intestinal upset are being caused by an egg allergy. Adverse reactions can vary in severity, but if egg is the culprit, then this Imutest kit will provide you with the result you can discuss with your GP or other healthcare practitioner.
