The most common allergens are
Tree and grass pollens (hay fever)
House dust mites
Food, such as peanuts, milk and eggs (food allergy)
Animal fur, especially from pets such as dogs and cats
Insect stings, such as bee and wasp stings
Certain medications.
Controlling allergies
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include
Runny nose or sneezing
Pain or tightness around the cheeks, eyes or forehead
Coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath
Itching or rash (hives)
Diarrhoea
Feeling or being sick
Swelling of the eyes, lips, mouth or throat.
At the Kensington International Clinic, our consultants offer many tests to help you.
What happens at the appointment?
Your family doctor can arrange some allergy tests or refer you to a specialised allergy clinic for testing.
The tests that can be done are
A skin prick or patch test – a small amount of allergen is applied to the skin to see if it reacts.
blood tests – to check for allergens that could be causing the symptoms
A special diet – avoid or reduce the consumption of a food you are allergic to, to see if your symptoms improve.
Allergy treatments
Treatments for allergies include
Trying to avoid the element you are allergic to as much as possible
drugs for mild allergic reactions, such as antihistamines, steroid tablets and steroid creams
Tmergency drugs called adrenalin auto-injectors, such as the EpiPen, for severe allergic reactions
Desensitisation (immunotherapy) for severe allergic reactions. This is a gradual exposure to the substance you are allergic to, so that your body gradually gets used to it and no longer reacts violently (this procedure should only be performed by a health professional).
Your specialist will provide you with an allergy management plan that explains how to manage your allergy.
