Allergy Testing

What is an allergy?

Allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to substances in the environment that are usually harmless to most individuals.

These substances are known as allergens and are found in dust mites, pets, pollen, insects, ticks, moulds, foods and some medicines. The reaction can vary from mild to life threatening (anaphylaxis).

Mechanism of allergy

These allergens are harmless unless the body’s immune system reacts to them by making antibodies to them.   In allergic reactions, these antibodies are in the Ig E class, which stick to the surface of specialized cells called mast cells.  Allergens combine with Ig E antibodies to release substances from mast cells including histamine, which causes swelling and inflammation, and this may cause significant discomfort.

Allergy symptoms

Symptoms vary from one individual to another. These may include itchy and runny nose (allergic rhinitis), itchy eyes and throat, breathing difficulties, tongue swelling, bloating and stomach upset, eczema, and hives.

How prevalent are allergic conditions in Australia?

Allergies affect one in five people on average.

How can we help?

At Top Health Doctors Allergy Clinics, we acknowledge and appreciate the effects allergic conditions can have on your life.

That is why we have created Allergy clinics, run by a group of family doctors with special interest in allergy testing and treatment. It is both accessible and affordable.

At the allergy clinic we offer the following:

• Comprehensive allergy consultation and management for many allergic conditions
• Skin Prick Testing (Gap fee applies)
• Dietician session (for food allergies)

We do not perform skin prick testing on children less than 2 years old. We work closely with immunologists for other further investigations e.g., food challenges.