24th April 2009
According to figures from Allergy UK, the number of Britons suffering from allergies is increasing by 5% each year, with one in four people affected at some stage in their lives. In response to this ever increasing demand Spire Murrayfield Hospital is delighted to announce the availability of a new private Allergy Clinic.
Common allergens such as pollen, dust mite, pets and foods such as milk or eggs can cause debilitating symptoms; from wheezing, runny noses, itchy eyes and ears through to more serious conditions such as asthma, eczema, lethargy and frequent headaches.
Pinpointing the exact cause of these symptoms and then removing the allergens from the patient’s environment or diet can result in dramatic improvements in quality of life. The Spire Murrayfield Hospital Allergy Clinic provides both a diagnostic service to accurately identify allergies or intolerances in the sufferer, and necessary advice and ongoing support in dealing with the particular allergies diagnosed.
In each one hour consultation, patients will see a specialist Allergy Nurse and give a detailed history of their medical background, diet and environment. If allergy is suspected, the nurse will perform a skin prick test, placing a drop of the suspected allergen on the skin and making a small prick to introduce the allergen under the top layer of skin. A positive reaction will occur within minutes if the patient is allergic. The cost of a consultation is £180.
Skin prick testing can be used for suspected allergies to either inhaled or ingested substances. For patients who suffer from severe allergic reactions, blood tests are used rather than the skin prick method. For patients with eczema or dermatitis, patch testing can be done to identify the likely cause.
Once the consultation is completed, patients will be offered further information, leaflets and advice from Allergy UK, and the Allergy Nurse from Spire Murrayfield Hospital in Edinburgh will follow up with patients after the appointment, to give feedback on tests performed and monitor ongoing progress.
Grass pollen is an extremely common allergy and is known to affect 95% of hayfever sufferers. With the main season for grass pollen starting in May, now is the perfect time to book an appointment at the Spire Murrayfield Hospital’s Allergy Clinic and start treatment before symptoms become troublesome.
The Allergy Clinic launches on Monday 4th May 2009. Patients can self-refer to this weekly clinic by calling 0131 316 2530.