Allergy & Intolerance Testing
Which test is right for me?
We offer two different laboratory tests. The right one depends on your symptoms — here’s the honest breakdown.
| Your situation | Details | What we’ll do |
|---|---|---|
| Allergy test Classic allergy symptoms | Wheezing, sneezing, itchy eyes, swelling or skin rashes triggered by foods, pets, pollen or dust | Food & Environmental Allergy Test — IgE reactions to 23 foods and 19 environmental allergens |
| Intolerance test Digestive symptoms you can’t pin down | Bloating, wind, stomach pain, diarrhoea, unexplained tiredness or headaches | Premium Food Intolerance Test — all four subtypes of food-specific IgG across 200 foods and drinks |
| Either Not sure which you need | Timing is the best clue: allergic reactions are immediate; intolerance reactions are delayed | Book either appointment and our clinician will confirm the right test before taking the sample |
| See a GP Severe reactions | Swelling of the lips or throat, or difficulty breathing, is an emergency — call 999 | Suspected severe allergy should go through your GP and an NHS allergy clinic, not a pharmacy test |
Both tests cost the same and include a follow-up consultation to interpret your results — see the price table below.
Allergy or intolerance — what’s the difference?
An allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction driven by IgE antibodies. Your immune system mistakes a food or environmental substance for an invader and releases histamine — producing itching, swelling, rashes, wheezing or worse, usually immediately or within about 30 minutes. Even a tiny amount of the trigger can set it off, and you become sensitised at an earlier encounter without realising.
A food intolerance is different: the immune system isn’t the main problem — digestion is. Your body struggles to process a food, and the reaction arrives hours or even a day later as bloating, wind, stomach pain, diarrhoea, fatigue or headaches. Small amounts are often tolerated when larger ones aren’t, which is exactly why intolerances are so hard to spot without testing.
Either can affect your sleep, energy, work and social life far more than people expect. Testing gives you a map: the allergy test reads IgE reactions to 23 foods and 19 environmental factors, while the intolerance test measures all four subtypes of food-specific IgG across 200 food and drink ingredients, reported in easy traffic-light values — high, borderline and normal reactivity.
The two tests compared
Both use a simple finger-prick blood sample taken in the pharmacy and analysed at the laboratory.
| Test | Details | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Food & Environmental Allergy Test | IgE antibody reactions to 23 foods and 19 environmental allergens | For wheezing, sneezing, itchy eyes, swelling and rashes |
| Premium Food Intolerance Test | All four subtypes of food-specific IgG across 200 food & drink ingredients | For bloating, wind, stomach pain, diarrhoea and tiredness |
| Both tests | Finger-prick sample in-store, results emailed within 7 working days | Traffic-light report plus a follow-up consultation to interpret it |
Results are a guide, not a diagnosis on their own — that’s why the follow-up consultation with our clinician is included in the price.
Allergy testing prices
One transparent price per test — interpretation included, no extras.
| Service | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Food & Environmental Allergy Test | £139 | Finger-prick sample, laboratory analysis, emailed results within 7 working days and a follow-up consultation |
| Premium Food Intolerance Test | £139 | Finger-prick sample, laboratory analysis of 200 ingredients, emailed results and a follow-up consultation |
If your results suggest anything needing medical care, we’ll advise a GP referral — honestly and at no extra cost.
How it works
Book online in 2 minutes
Same-day appointments are often available thanks to the size of our qualified team.
Finger-prick sample in-store
A quick, simple blood sample taken by our allergy-trained team, sent straight to the laboratory.
Results within 7 working days
Your traffic-light report arrives by email, and a follow-up consultation helps you act on it.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between an allergy and an intolerance?
An allergy is an immune (IgE) reaction — fast, sometimes severe, triggered by tiny amounts, with symptoms like itching, swelling, rashes and wheezing. An intolerance is a digestive problem — delayed by hours or a day, dose-dependent, with symptoms like bloating, wind, pain and fatigue. The two tests measure different things, so matching the test to your symptoms matters.
What does the allergy test cover?
The Food & Environmental Allergy Test detects IgE reactions to 23 foods and 19 environmental allergens — covering triggers like pollen, dust and pet dander alongside common foods.
What does the intolerance test cover?
The Premium Food Intolerance Test measures all four subtypes of food-specific IgG antibodies against 200 food and drink ingredients — the most comprehensive option for unexplained digestive symptoms.
How and when do I get my results?
By email within 7 working days, presented in traffic-light values: high, borderline and normal reactivity. A follow-up consultation with our clinician to interpret the results is included in the price.
Is the sample collection painful?
It’s a quick finger-prick — a moment’s discomfort, done in a private consultation room by our trained team, suitable for adults and children.
What if I’ve had a severe allergic reaction before?
Please don’t rely on a pharmacy test. Severe reactions — facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty — need urgent medical care (999) and follow-up through your GP and an NHS allergy clinic. We’ll always point you to the right route.
Rated by 1,200+ patients of our Camberley pharmacy and clinics.
GPhC registered pharmacy 1105418 · Superintendent pharmacist Jirina Thielens (GPhC 2069634).
This guide follows UK national health guidance (NHS) and was last reviewed in August 2026. Recommendations can change — your consultation always reflects the latest advice.
Ready for answers?
£139 per test including laboratory analysis and a follow-up consultation — book at VSM Pharmacy Camberley.
Book Your Allergy Test