THE SUBLINGUAL CHALLENGE FOR FOOD ALLERGY OR INTOLERANCE, OR FOR CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY
The sublingual challenge test can be used for testing for food allergy or intolerance, or for chemical sensitivity. In each, a dilute solution of extract of a suspect substance is placed under the tongue and symptoms are monitored for 10 minutes. Testing is usually done blind so that the patient does not know what is being tested.
Sublingual testing for food sensitivity can be ineffective, especially if the food concerned has not been consumed within the previous 48 hours, so it is rarely used. Sublingual testing for chemical sensitivity, however, is more effective and can be useful in identifying chemicals to which you react. It is less effective when carried out in an environment with a high level of chemicals in the air, which can affect results. Best results are obtained in a chemical-free or carefully controlled environment.
Your doctor can refer you to have any of the above medical and laboratory tests if you ask for them, but they may not be available on the National Health Service, or in the area where you live. If you want further advice on where to go for testing, the British Society for Allergy and Environmental Medicine and The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology can give you the names of doctors.
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