Online children’s allergy test 96% accurate

AN instant online test to detect food allergies in children, which is 96% accurate and dramatically cuts waiting times for results, has been developed by researchers at University College Cork.

The allergy detector has been heralded as a major breakthrough in the management of food allergies, which affect one in 20 Irish children.

Current tests for food allergies are time consuming, expensive and often quite stressful for children. They can also increase the risk of the patient suffering anaphylaxis — a serious allergic reaction which can be life-threatening. There is also a long waiting list for tests because of the lack of specialist consultants.