Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital - Allergy Clinic

The Allergy Clinic caters for children with mild or uncomplicated allergy problems (asthma, eczema, rhinitis etc). If a severe or unusual allergy problem is present, the referral doctor should contact the clinic to arrange a consultation or appointment.

The allergy clinic aims to see problems such as:

• Moderate to severe persistent asthma
• Difficult to control asthma
• Patients with a history of near-fatal asthma
• Food allergies
• Chronic urticaria
• Bee-venom sensitivity
• Patients with complex or multiple allergic diseases
• Severe persistent allergic rhinitis
• Evaluation of anaphylaxis
• Diagnostic tests for drug allergy
• Immunotherapy

Referrals for mild atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, papular urticaria and asthma should be referred to S27 for management. Problem patients with atopic dermatitis should be referred to the dermatology service.

Types of patients catered for:

1. Asthma
a) Moderate asthma not responding to regular medication- requiring Montelukast or long acting B2 agonists
b) Severe asthma (steroid dependent)
c) Previous admissions for status near fatal asthma

2. Difficult to control moderate or severe persistent Allergic Rhinitis

3. Chronic urticaria
Atopic eczema associated with food allergy.
All other cases of eczema are seen at the Dermatology Clinic.

4. Suspected food allergy

a) In infants
b) Life-threatening and other significant reactions to foods
c) Food allergy of unclear cause

5. Drug allergy
Allergic and life-threatening reactions to drugs e.g. anaphylaxis or bronchospasm.

6. Insect allergy
Allergic and life-threatening reactions to bee or wasp stings. Increase in systemic symptoms following bee stings.

7. Patients considered for immunotherapy.
Note: Papular urticaria is not seen at this clinic.