Parents are wasting money and risking their children’s health by buying £60 allergy tests, experts warn today.
There is no scientific basis for such alternative tests, which can delay proper diagnosis and may lead to malnutrition in children wrongly put on restrictive diets, it is claimed.
The warning comes as the NHS issues its first guidelines to help GPs identify and treat food allergies in children more quickly.
It can take months and even years for allergies to be suspected and families referred to hospital specialists, who may have long waiting lists.
Desperate parents are often forced to seek alternative and complementary testing as a result, said Dr Adam Fox, a consultant in paediatric allergy at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London.
Dr Fox, who worked on the guidelines, said a study in 2006 found 40 per cent of families seen in specialist clinics had used alternative allergy tests.
‘It’s not at all unusual that parents will come in with their printout of things [foods] they have been told to exclude based on completely invalidated types of testing,’ he added. ‘The more slick the website, the more they are likely to believe it.’
‘Useless’ tests available online or at High Street shops hampered the efforts of NHS doctors to sort out allergy problems, he added.
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Dr Fox said: ‘Many parents often turn to alternative methods to help diagnose their child, but there is little evidence base for these approaches.
‘Parents often end up putting their children on very extensive restriction diets following the inaccurate diagnosis, which can leave them malnourished, as well as wasting time and money.’
Enlarge A warning has been issued against using the Vega tester (pictured) test, kinesiology and hair analysis for allergy testingThe guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence warn against using the Vega test, kinesiology and hair analysis. The tests cost around £60 online and more on the High Street, while a Which? survey two years ago found some costing £275.
Dr Fox said skin prick testing and the IgE blood test on the NHS were medically proven, and should not be confused with some IgG food intolerance and home testing kits.
The guidelines says parents paying for allergy testing should ensure they are seeing a reputable, trained specialist. The charity Allergy UK has a nationwide list.
Dr Fox said it was unclear why allergies were rising, with theories ranging from caesarean births to children not being exposed to enough germs to kickstart their immune systems. One in 20 children has a food allergy, with one in 50 allergic to nuts.
Dr Joanne Walsh, a GP who worked on the guidelines, said all children suffer a bit of reflux, colic or occasional vomiting, but as many as one in three parents now discussed allergy in the first few weeks of life.
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Allergy tests not recommended by NiceIgG BLOOD TESTS A blood sample taken using a surgical pin and vial is posted off for analysis. Companies using this test claim raised levels of IgG (Immunoglobulin G) anibodies within blood in relation to a particular food suggest allergy. IgG antibodies are commonly found in healthy people and show only that the food itself has been eaten. Cost: From £99 depending on how many foods are tested for. VEGA TESTING The person being tested holds a metal probe connected to a computer, while another probe is placed on acupressure points on other hand to create an electric circuit. Vials containing 'essences' of different foods are placed in the machine, or a computer programme is used, with a reduction in the electric current meaning an allergy to the food tested. Independent experts say clinical studies have repeatedly shown it is ineffective in detecting intolerances. Cost: £60 plusHAIR ANALYSIS A few strands of hair are sent by post for analysis. Practitioners claim the sample can 'diagnose' intolerances by testing the 'vibrational energy pattern' of the hair, or DNA at the root, but experts say there is no evidence to show it works in food allergy. Cost: £50 plus.KINESIOLOGY The person being tested lies down either touching or close to vials containing 'food extracts'. The practitioner applies pressure on legs or arms to test resistance, claiming that muscle weakness means the food being tested is interfering with the body, but Nice says there is 'little evidence base'. Cost: £50 plus