About the dairy allergy test

The Home Allergy Test is a reliable and comprehensive blood test for allergies. Using sophisticated technology, the Home Allergy Test analyses your body's reaction to 294 different allergens, including cow’s milk, camel’s milk, mare’s milk, goat’s milk and sheep’s milk.

Everything you need to collect a small blood sample from your fingertip is included in the test kit. There's a step-by-step guide to help you and you can also watch our how-to video. It doesn't take long. Give yourself about 30 minutes to collect your blood sample. And what's more, you can do it from the comfort of your own home and avoid the need to wait for an appointment.

You need to activate your test online. The test kit includes your unique code and instructions for this. Activating your test creates a secure, online account if you don't already have one with us. And means that we know exactly who the test belongs to. We can't process your test unless it's activated.

A prepaid envelope is also included in the box for you to post your blood sample to our partner lab for analysis. Within two weeks of posting your blood sample, we'll let you know by email that your results are ready in your online account.

The Home Allergy Test is suitable for anyone over the age of 12 years. For children under the age of 12, a doctor needs to perform a blood allergy test. Children and adolescents between 12 and 18 must be supervised by an adult to use the Home Allergy Test.

Does the Home Allergy Test also test for lactose intolerance?

The Home Allergy Test identifies antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) in your blood. IgE plays a vital role in allergic reactions to many substances including a variety of dairy foods.

Allergy is different from intolerance. Intolerance is when your body can’t digest certain foods. This can be caused by a substance within the food itself or if, for example, you lack certain enzymes. For instance, missing the enzyme lactase could mean you’re dairy intolerant. Dairy intolerant means your body is unable to digest lactose. Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products.

The Home Allergy Test can identify specific food allergens that could trigger an allergic reaction. It does not test for intolerances.

Order your Home Allergy Test today and take the first step towards finding out if you might have a dairy allergy.

Many allergens, one test

• Pollen 59
• Pets 25
• Insect stings 10
• Moulds & yeasts 13
• Foods 154
• Other 14

Symptoms of dairy allergy

Some people who have a milk allergy or dairy allergy have only mild symptoms, but they can range from mild, to moderate to severe in others. And it can be unpredictable. Milk or food containing milk that once triggered mild symptoms may cause more severe symptoms another time.

The allergic reaction nearly always happens quite quickly after eating the dairy product. But sometimes allergic reactions can occur several hours afterwards.

Common dairy allergy symptoms

• Tingling or itching in the mouth
• A raised, itchy red rash (hives) – sometimes the skin can turn red and itchy without a raised rash
• Swelling of the face, mouth, throat or other parts of the body
• Difficulty swallowing
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Feeling dizzy and lightheaded
• Feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting
• Abdominal pain or diarrhoea
• Hay fever-like symptoms such as sneezing or itchy eyes

Anaphylaxis

Milk and other dairy foods can cause an acute, severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis in some people. Anaphylaxis can affect your breathing and send your body into shock.

Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening so prompt emergency treatment is essential.

The symptoms of anaphylaxis can appear suddenly and quickly get worse. It can start with the symptoms listed above but can lead to:

• Swollen tongue
• Breathing difficulties
• Tight chest
• Trouble swallowing or speaking
• Feeling dizzy or faint
• Collapse

Call 999 for an ambulance immediately if you or somebody you’re with experiences any of these symptoms.

Milk allergy or lactose intolerance symptoms

If you're experiencing adverse reactions after drinking milk or eating dairy products it's key to understand both lactose intolerance and dairy allergy. Lactose intolerance is a digestive problem, not an allergic reaction.

Lactose intolerance symptoms usually happen within a couple of hours of eating or drinking food that contains milk or other dairy products. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, bloating, stomach pain, stomach rumbling and feeling sick. Your doctor may recommend an elimination diet if lactose intolerance is suspected.

Why you should consider milk allergy testing

If you suspect you might have a milk allergy or dairy allergy, the Home Allergy Test can help you find out which different foods might be triggering your symptoms and to rule out others. A blood test for allergies won’t give you a diagnosis of a dairy allergy. But the results can indicate a sign of suspected allergies.

The Home Allergy Test can provide you with a risk profile of which allergen might be causing your symptoms. Allergy test results alongside details of your symptoms and medical history can guide your doctor in creating a suitable treatment plan for you.

Dairy allergy: a closer look

Dairy allergy is when your immune system overreacts to milk and foods containing milk, such as cheese, butter, yoghurt, cream and ice cream. 

The job of your immune system is to protect your body from infections from bacteria, viruses and parasites. But in people with allergies, your immune system is a bit too eager and overreacts to substances that would otherwise be harmless. 

In an allergic reaction, your immune system produces IgE antibodies specific to the allergen it’s trying to fight. In the case of dairy allergies, the IgE antibodies identify the proteins in the milk in the food as a potential threat. It sets off a chain of reactions in defence. Your body produces certain chemicals, including histamine. And it’s these chemicals that cause allergy symptoms in an attempt to get rid of the allergen as quickly as possible. 

It’s unlikely that you’d have an allergic reaction the first time you drink milk or eat a portion of dairy food. It’s a step by step approach. First of all, your body needs to prep its defence mechanisms. Your immune system has to recognise and memorise the allergen before it can produce specific IgE antibodies. The process of your body becoming sensitive to an allergen is called sensitisation.

Sensitisation is the first step of developing an allergy. It means your body has become sensitive to an allergen and produces IgE antibodies as part of the defence against it. Some people can be sensitised and yet encounter the specific substance repeatedly but never experience allergy symptoms. Sensitisation does not always lead to symptoms, but symptoms do not develop without sensitisation.