Private Insect Allergy Testing

Testing for an insect allergy (such as bee or wasp venom allergy) is important because reactions can be unpredictable — and sometimes serious.

Here’s why a blood test can be valuable:

Assess Risk of Severe Reactions

While many stings cause only local swelling, some people develop:

• Widespread hives
• Facial or throat swelling
• Breathing difficulty
• Dizziness or collapse (anaphylaxis)

A blood test helps identify whether your immune system is producing IgE antibodies to insect venom, which increases the risk of severe reactions.

Identify the Specific Insect

Bee and wasp venom are different.
Testing can help determine:

• Whether you're allergic to bee venom
• Wasp venom
• Or both

This is important for targeted advice and potential treatment.

Reduce Anxiety & Uncertainty

After a significant sting reaction, many patients feel anxious about being outdoors.
Testing provides:

• Clear answers
• Risk stratification
• A personalised safety plan

Particularly Important If You’ve Had:

• A reaction beyond the sting site
• Previous anaphylaxis
• Multiple stings with worsening symptoms
• A job or hobby involving outdoor exposure

We offer simple blood tests but combine several different insects together to make a profile to give you a bigger picture of what type of insects you may be allergic to.

Insect Allergy Test costs £220

Testing with a GP for Adults

The Consultation with our experienced GPs is £120.00 plus the cost of the allergy test. The GP will perform the allergy blood test and explain the results to you free of charge. 

You may choose to have a simple £35 Phlebotomy appointment in which to be tested. The results would be emailed to you, and you would need to have a paid consultation to have the results explained to you.

Testing with a Paediatric Consultant for babies and children

For children under 16 years old you will need to book in with our specialist consultant paediatrician for a consultation and allergy testing. The cost of a consultation with the paediatrician is £245.00 plus the cost of the test.

Alternatively – you may just decide to have your child tested without a consultation. A blood test with our paediatrician costs £50 plus the cost of the test. This does not include a consultation. The results would be emailed to you, and you would need to have a paid consultation to have the results explained to you.

We do not recommend allergy test for babies under 6 months. You may still wish to have a consultation with the Paediatrician to discuss any issues you and your baby may be facing.

The Insect Allergy Test includes :

• Common Was
• Yellow Jacket
• Bee
• Paper Wasp
• Yellow Hornet
• White Faced Hornet

Results are rapid and take just a couple of days.

You may want to know the difference between a sting and an allergy.

Most people aren’t allergic. By knowing the difference, you can decide if you need to see a doctor.

A normal sting causes a reaction, pain, and redness or in some cases swelling and continual pain.

An allergic reaction is serious, and prompt medical treatment is required straight away.

A mild allergic reaction may cause one or more of these symptoms at the site of the sting:

• Pain
• Redness
• Pimple-like spots
• Mild to moderate swelling
• Warmth

This Insect combination test gives our GPs and you a good idea as to what it is that is causing your allergic symptoms.

Once tested you can avoid being stung – for example:

• Recognise nests and avoid them.
• Wear shoes and socks outdoors
• Wear long sleeved upper garments when in woods and rural areas.
• Avoid perfumes and bright clothes that attract inspects.
• Consider using screens on windows and doors at home
• You may also want to use insect repellents when you’re outside.
• Garbage cans regularly with insecticide and keep the cans covered.

Our allergy component testing may be a better option for you than our single allergy tests.

We offer allergy testing 6 days a week.

We have ample parking and great reviews. You can call us on 0121 704 2669 for more information.

Quality Control

MUMS Partner Laboratory follow internal and national quality control measures to analyse their laboratory machinery before tests are runs to ensure the accuracy of results.  ISO 15189 Medical Laboratories and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) are the minimum foundations upon which the standards of work are based.