Test Category · London
Nut Allergy Test London — Peanut & Tree Nut IgE
Component-resolved IgE blood tests for peanut and tree nut allergy at our nurse-led South Kensington clinic. We currently offer 9 nut-relevant tests from £68 to £665.
🚨 Severe nut reactions are a medical emergency — call 999
Peanut and tree nut allergies can sometimes cause anaphylaxis. If you or someone you are with develops difficulty breathing, throat tightness, collapse, widespread hives or significant facial swelling after a known or possible nut exposure, call 999, ask for an ambulance, and say "anaphylaxis". If a prescribed adrenaline auto-injector (such as EpiPen, Jext or Emerade) is available, use it without delay. Private blood testing is a diagnostic step — it does not replace emergency care, specialist review or carrying your adrenaline.
What Is a Nut Allergy Test?
A "nut allergy test" is a blood test that measures specific IgE antibodies against proteins found in peanut and tree nuts (walnut, hazelnut, cashew, almond, pistachio, pecan, Brazil nut, macadamia). The two terms are often used together, but it is important to remember that peanut is a legume rather than a true tree nut, and is tested separately from tree nuts.
Modern testing uses component-resolved diagnostics (CRD), in which the allergen is broken down into individual proteins and IgE is measured against each. For peanut, components such as Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 (storage proteins) are associated with higher risk of systemic reactions, while sensitisation to Ara h 8 usually reflects cross-reactivity with birch pollen and oral allergy syndrome rather than severe allergy. Component patterns help an allergy specialist refine risk assessment in a way that a whole-extract test cannot.
As a CQC-registered, nurse-led diagnostic-only service, our role is to take a high-quality sample, generate a clearly formatted laboratory report, and release the results to you so you can share them with your GP or allergy specialist for clinical interpretation.
Nut Allergy Tests We Offer
9 tests currently in our catalog, sorted by price (lowest first). Click any test to see the full description, sample type and turnaround time.
Total IgE
Cashew Components
Walnut Components
Hazelnut Components
Peanut Components
Seed Storage Proteins
Allergy Profile 3 (Food)
Allergy Profile 4 (Nuts & Seeds)
Allergy Profile 1 (Food & Inhalants)
Which Nut Allergy Test Is Right for You?
The most appropriate starting test depends on your history. The summary below is for general orientation — your GP or allergy specialist can advise on the right pathway for your specific situation.
| If you... | A common starting point |
|---|---|
| Have only ever reacted after eating peanut specifically | Peanut Components panel (Ara h 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9) |
| Have reacted to one or more tree nuts and are unsure which | Nuts & Seeds Profile (Profile 4) or relevant individual components |
| Want the broadest single-sample picture across all major nut + non-nut allergens | ALEX² multi-allergen test (~300 allergens) |
| Have only ever had itching of the mouth / lips after fresh nuts during hay-fever season | Birch Components + cross-reactive picture (see oral allergy syndrome) |
| Are a parent of a child with suspected food sensitivity | We currently do not see children under 16; please book via your GP's paediatric pathway |
How Testing Works
Choose Your Test
Select from our range of allergy blood tests and book a convenient time at our South Kensington clinic. No GP referral needed.
Nurse Blood Draw
A qualified nurse takes a small blood sample at our clinic. The appointment is quick and straightforward.
Get Your Results
Results are sent directly to you, typically within a few working days. Share them with your GP or specialist to guide your next steps.
Transparent Pricing
- → Each price shown above is the all-inclusive fee for the laboratory test, sample collection by a registered nurse at our South Kensington clinic and your written laboratory report.
- → No GP referral is required. You can book directly online.
- → We do not charge for the appointment itself — only for the test you choose.
- → All prices are inclusive of VAT where applicable.
We cannot guarantee that private testing will be reimbursed by insurance providers — please check with your insurer before booking.
Our Role in the Diagnostic Pathway
AllergyClinic.co.uk is a CQC-registered, nurse-led diagnostic service. All blood samples are taken by registered nurses experienced in allergy and component-resolved testing pathways, processed by an accredited laboratory, and returned to you as a clearly formatted report. We do not diagnose nut allergy, prescribe adrenaline auto-injectors, issue or alter emergency action plans, or recommend dietary restriction — those steps sit with your GP and, where indicated, an allergy specialist.
A practical UK pathway for suspected nut allergy is: GP review → component-resolved IgE testing → allergy specialist referral if reactions have been systemic, severe or unclear → individualised dietary and emergency-management advice. Private testing through our clinic can be a useful intermediate step to bring well-organised results to your GP appointment.
Why Choose a Diagnostic-Only Clinic?
Unlike clinics that provide both testing and treatment, our nurse-led service focuses solely on accurate diagnostic testing. Because we don't offer treatments or prescriptions, there is no commercial incentive to recommend unnecessary tests — just honest, impartial results you can trust.
Nurse-Led & Impartial
Our qualified nurses collect your sample — we don't prescribe, treat, or have any reason to upsell.
Results You Own
Your results are sent directly to you. Take them to your GP or a specialist to discuss what's best for your situation.
You Stay in Control
Understand your allergy profile, then decide with your healthcare professional what steps to take next.
Related Conditions
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a nut allergy blood test diagnostic on its own?
No. A specific IgE blood test identifies sensitisation — whether your immune system has produced antibodies to a particular nut allergen. It does not on its own diagnose a clinical allergy or predict the severity of a future reaction. Results should be interpreted by a clinician — usually a GP or allergy specialist — alongside your full history of any reactions.
What is the difference between a whole-extract test and a components test?
A whole-extract test measures IgE to a mixture of proteins in, for example, a whole peanut. A component-resolved test breaks the allergen down into its individual proteins (such as Ara h 1, 2, 3, 6, 8 and 9 for peanut) and measures IgE against each one separately. The component pattern often gives more useful information about likely reaction severity and cross-reactivity than the whole extract alone.
Which nut allergens does the ALEX² multi-allergen test include?
ALEX² is a multiplex panel that measures specific IgE against around 300 allergen extracts and individual components from a single blood sample. It includes nut-relevant components such as Ara h 2, Ara h 6, Ara h 8 (peanut), Cor a 1, Cor a 9, Cor a 14 (hazelnut), Jug r 1 (walnut), Ana o 3 (cashew), as well as cross-reactive panallergens like profilins and PR-10 proteins. It is the broadest single-sample option we offer.
Do I need to stop taking antihistamines before a blood test?
No. Unlike skin-prick testing, IgE blood tests are not affected by antihistamines or other allergy medications. You can continue taking your regular medication right up to your appointment. There is no need to fast.
Can children have these tests?
We currently do not see children under 16. If your child needs allergy assessment, please see your GP for referral to a paediatric allergy service. For patients aged 16 and over, we provide nurse-led blood sample collection and release the laboratory report for GP or specialist interpretation.
I have already had a serious reaction — should I still be tested privately?
If you have a history of anaphylaxis, you should be under the care of an allergy specialist and carry any prescribed adrenaline auto-injector (such as EpiPen, Jext or Emerade). Private blood testing can clarify the underlying pattern of sensitisation and may be useful for an upcoming specialist review, but it complements — and does not replace — specialist management or an emergency action plan.
Related reading
Peanut vs Tree Nut: Why You Might Not Need to Avoid Everything
Peanut allergy doesn’t always mean tree nut allergy. Learn the science of cross-reactivity, how IgE blood testing identifies safe nuts, and UK next steps.
Read article →
When Can Babies Eat Peanut Butter? New Guidelines 2026
When can babies eat peanut butter? 2026 UK guidelines on early peanut introduction from 6 months — eczema risk-stratification and how testing supports families.
Read article →
Can You Develop a Peanut Allergy as an Adult?
Can you develop a peanut allergy as an adult? Why immune systems change, key warning signs, and how peanut component testing (Ara h 1, 2, 8, 9) clarifies risk.
Read article →Clarify Your Nut Allergy Picture
Component-resolved blood testing can distinguish higher-risk storage-protein sensitisation from mild cross-reactive patterns. Sample collected by a nurse at our South Kensington clinic — results released to you to share with your GP or allergy specialist.
See the tests & pricing →