Copyright © VSM Pharmacy Limited. All rights reserved. vsmpharmacy.co.uk is a trading name of VSM Pharmacy Limited. Registered office: 124 Frimley Road, Camberley, Surrey, United Kingdom, GU15 2QN. Registered in England: company number 12182298.Â
Allergy and Intolerance Testing
Testing is the First Step Towards Allergy and Intolerance Relief
VSM Pharmacy is now offering TWO Â tests that will help you to identify your allergies and possible intolerances you may have.
Food and Environmental Allergy Test
Allergies can be life-changing, with various symptoms like itching, swelling, vomiting, and diarrhoea. When your body encounters an allergen, it releases histamine, causing a range of symptoms, from itchy eyes and throat to an allergy rash. This biological process is the root cause of your discomfort. An anaphylactic reaction can potentially be fatal, so there’s no time to waste in finding out what foods could be the issue.
 We provide highly accurate test to help patients  to understand what might be contributing to their bothersome symptoms.
The Food & Environmental Allergy Test detects IgE reactions to 23 foods and 19 environmental factors.
Premium Food Intolerance Test
If you suffer from undiagnosed digestive-related symptoms such as bloating, wind, stomach pain or diarrhoea or other serious issues such as fatigue, headache, anxiety, rashes and hives,  these could be signs of food intolerance. By testing for food intolerances, you can obtain a better understanding of your body intolerances that may be causing symptoms or preventing optimum health and performance.
When food particles enter the bloodstream, your immune system can sometimes identify these food proteins as ‘foreign’ and produces IgG antibodies to ‘attack’ the particular food in question. This response is their immune system’s natural defence mechanism to ward off harmful invaders in the body which can create inflammation. This inflammation can then trigger troublesome symptoms, which may persist if they are neglected.
 We provide highly accurate test to help patients  to understand what might be contributing to their bothersome symptoms.
The Food Intolerance test  detects all four subtypes of food-specific IgG reactions to 200 food & drink ingredients.
Which test is right for me? Allergies or Food Intolerances?
Allergy Test​
- Measures specific IgE antibodies
- Â Simple finger-prick blood testÂ
- Tests for 23 foods and 19 environmental allergens
- Testing help you to understand what may be causing symptoms like wheezing, sneezing, itchy eyes, swelling, skin rashes and more
Food Intolerances Test
- Measures all four subtypes of food-specific IgG
- Simple finger-prick blood test
- Results listed in easy-to-read traffic light values: high, borderline, and normal reactivity
- Tests for over 200 food and drink ingredients
- Testing help you to understand what may be causing symptoms like diarrhoea, flatulence, bloating, stomach pain or tiredness.
By understanding your body’s reaction to these specific substances, we can provide you with an advice to manage your allergies or intolerances, leading to improved quality of life. Visit us in-store today and begin your journey towards better allergy and intolerance management.
How does the service work?​
Book an appointment in the online calendar. Same day appointments are often available due to the size of our qualified team.
You will receive your test results via email within 7 working days.
You can book a follow-up consultation with our clinician who will help you to interpret the results if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of the test is £139 which includes the follow up appointment and assessment of your results.
An allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction where the majority of cases are caused by a type of antibody (immunoglobulin) known as IgE, and to become allergic you must go through the sensitisation process.
Allergy may affect your family life, work performance, social activities and more. Allergy symptoms can affect your sleep, which can impact your energy levels during the day. And ultimately some allergies can even be life-threatening.
The sensitisation process occurs when you first meet the allergen. It is likely in these early encounters that you do not develop allergy-like symptoms.Â
Food intolerance is a difficulty in digesting some foods and having an unpleasant physical reaction to them. Also, food intolerance response takes place in the digestive system. It occurs when you are unable to properly breakdown the food.
Food allergy:
- The body mistakes a certain food as an invader, like virus or a bacteria, and tries to get rid of them
- The food triggers an allergic reaction, and immune cells respond by releasing histamines and antibodies
- The response is immediate or within 3o minutes of eating the food
- Even a small amount of the food can cause a reaction
- Symptoms occur every time you eat the food
Food intolerance:Â
- The body tries to digest and use the food, but has difficulty doing so
- The food doesn’t affect the immune system, but causes problems in the digestive system
- The response is more likely to be delayed, occurring within a few hours or even a day of eating the food
- Sometimes small amounts are tolerated well, but larger amounts cause symptoms
- Symptoms may occur only sometimes, like if you eat a lot of the food, or you eat it often
There are many types of allergies. The severity of symptoms for each type can vary, and you may experience your symptoms differently from other people with allergy.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction might include:
- blocked stuffy nose
- itchy watery eyes
- headaches
- tiredness in the morning
- skin reaction
- asthma
- bloating
- diarrhoea
- nauseaÂ
Intolerance causes symptoms that happen gradually. Consequently, a few hours after eating the problem food. Furthermore, it only results in symptoms if you eat a substantial amount of food.
Certain common symptoms include:
- stomach ache
- bloating
- diarrhoea
- skin rashes
- itching
- migraines
- runny nose
- irritable bowel
- hives
Allergy and intolerance tests may help you to find out which triggers might be causing your symptoms and to rule out others. Having the right information can help you to better manage your allergy.Â
It is not a diagnosis.
You will receive the blood results normally within one week.
There are a few types of medication that may stop your test from being accurate.
- Immune suppressant medications –Â they can affect the results of the testing
- Antihistamines –Â We advise stopping antihistamine use for 3-5 days before taking your appointment.Â
Our tests are suitable for children from the age of 4 years old.
Both tests are not suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
You will need to be well hydrated, so we recommend to drink 500ml of water 30min before your appointment.Â
Allergies:
• Egg white • Milk • Cod • Salmon •
Crab • Shrimp • Meat mix (pork, beef,
chicken, lamb) • Wheat • Rice • Soy •
Potato • Peanut • Hazelnut • Almond •
Tomato • Carrot • Orange • Strawberry
• Apple • Peach •Birch • Hazelnut pollen • Olive •
Cypress • Ash, European • Timothy
grass • Rye • Bermuda grass • Bahia
grass • Common ragweed • Mugwort
• English plantain • Dog, cat, horse dander • House
dust mites (D. pteronyssinus and D.
farinae) • Cockroach • Cladosporium
herbarum
Â
Intolerances:
 We test for over 200 ingredients including Meat/poulty, drinks, grain, seeds, nuts, vegetable, fruit, herbs and spices, dairy and many more. If you have specific ingredients in mind, ask our pharmacy team for detailed list of Intolerance ingredients.Â
Our address is 124 Frimley Road, Camberley, GU15 2QN.
Our pharmacy’s allergy and intolerance testing service is easily accessible from Camberley, Blackwater, Sandhurst, Frimley, Deepcut, Cove, Hawley, Mytchett, Crowthorne, Surrey Heath, Farnborough, Finchampstead, Ash Vale, Fleet, Bisley, Windlesham, Aldershot, Brookwood, Hartley Wintney, Sunninghill, Pirbright, Bagshot, Bracknell and many other locations in Surrey.
