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Food allergy

Reactions to certain foods. Advice, testing guidance, and a safety plan.

Speak to a GP about food allergyFrom £79

In short

A GP can help tell a true food allergy from an intolerance, give you a safety plan, and arrange appropriate allergy testing. Severe reactions are a medical emergency and need a specialist plan.

Overview

What is food allergy?

A food allergy is an immune reaction to a particular food, ranging from mild (itching, hives) to severe (anaphylaxis). It's different from food intolerance, which mainly causes digestive symptoms without an immune reaction. Getting the right diagnosis matters, both to avoid unnecessary food restriction and to put a safety plan in place for genuine allergies.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

  • Itching or tingling in the mouth
  • Hives, itching, or swelling of the lips or face
  • Tummy pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea after eating
  • Runny nose or wheeze triggered by a food
  • In severe cases, difficulty breathing or feeling faint (anaphylaxis)

When to act

When to see a doctor

Book a GP if you think a food is causing reactions, to get proper advice and the right testing. Always call 999 for a severe reaction with breathing difficulty or swelling.

When to seek urgent help

Seek urgent help if

  • Difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, or feeling faint after eating (anaphylaxis, call 999)
  • A previous severe reaction to a food (needs a specialist allergy plan)
  • Reactions that are becoming more severe each time

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies or NHS 111 for urgent non-emergency advice.

Treatment

How a private GP can help

  • A careful history to tell a true allergy from a food intolerance
  • Advice on avoiding the suspected food safely
  • Guidance on recognising and responding to a serious reaction
  • Referral for allergy testing (skin-prick or blood tests) where appropriate
  • Advice on carrying antihistamines, and discussion of adrenaline auto-injectors via specialists
  • Treatment of related conditions such as hives or eczema

What we don't do

  • Emergency treatment of anaphylaxis (call 999)
  • Prescribing adrenaline auto-injectors and oral immunotherapy (specialist allergy services)

Pricing

What it costs

An online consultation about food allergy starts at £79 for a 20-minute video appointment. In-pharmacy consultations are £129 and home visits are £189. Your consultation includes one private prescription if appropriate, and a sick note for work if needed. You pay the pharmacy separately for any medication.

See full pricing breakdown

FAQ

Common questions about food allergy

What's the difference between a food allergy and intolerance?
A food allergy involves the immune system and can cause rapid, sometimes severe reactions. An intolerance (such as lactose intolerance) causes mainly digestive symptoms and isn't life-threatening. The history usually tells them apart.
Can you test for food allergies?
Testing (skin-prick or specific blood tests) is useful in the right situations, guided by your history. We can arrange referral. We'd caution against unproven "intolerance" tests sold commercially.
What should I do in a severe reaction?
Call 999 immediately for breathing difficulty, throat or tongue swelling, or feeling faint. If you have an adrenaline auto-injector, use it without delay.
Will I always have it?
Some childhood allergies are outgrown; others are lifelong. A specialist can advise on your specific allergy and whether re-testing is worthwhile.
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Ready to talk to a GP about food allergy?

Message Emily on WhatsApp or book online in under 90 seconds. UK-registered doctors, available today.

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