frequently asked

questions

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is potentially life threatening. It must be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment and urgent medical attention.

Anaphylaxis is a generalised allergic reaction, which often involves more than one body system (e.g. skin, respiratory, gastro-intestinal, cardiovascular). A severe allergic reaction usually occurs within 20 minutes of exposure to the trigger and can rapidly become life threatening. read more

(source: Anaphylaxis Australia Inc.)  


What is Desensitisation / Immunotherapy ?


Immunotherapy, often referred to as "desensitisation", is the closest thing to a "cure" for allergy, particularly for allergies to stinging insects or pollen.

Immunotherapy "switches off" allergy


Immunotherapy involves the administration of gradually increasing doses of allergen extracts over a period of years, given to patients by injection or drops under the tongue (sublingual). Immunotherapy alters the way in which the immune system reacts to allergens, by "switching off" allergy. The end result is that you become "immune" to the allergens, so that you can tolerate them with fewer or no symptoms. read more

(Source: ASCIA Educational Resources)

Asthma and allergy facts


Asthma and allergic diseases have increased dramatically over recent years. Australia has the second highest prevalence of asthma in the world; 1 in 4 children, 1 in 7 teenagers and 1 in 10 adults. The reasons for this are unclear. However, we do know that:


  1. ✴around 4 in 10 Australians have allergic disease

  2. ✴more than 8 in 10 Australians with asthma have positive allergy test results.

  3. read more

(Source: National Asthma Council of Australia)

What is a primary immune deficiency?

A primary immune deficiency (PID) is a defect in the immune system which is inherited or can occur spontaneously. More than 100 PID disorders are recognised by the World Health Organisation. The disorders range widely in severity but share a common pattern:


  2. ✴Disorders generally show as repeated "ordinary" infections, often of the sinuses, ears or lungs. They can also cause gastrointestinal problems or inflammation of the joints.

  3. ✴Infections can be chronic requiring long courses of antibiotics.

  4. ✴Disorders affect males and females of any age

  5. ✴Early diagnosis and treatment of disorders is essential to prevent the recurring infections from causing permanent damage

  6. read more

  7. (Source: Immune Deficiencies Foundation of Aust.)


What is Allergy Testing?


When you are allergic to something (an allergen), you develop special antibodies in your blood called IgE antibodies, which can recognise the specific allergen.  These antibodies cause the symptoms experienced when allergic people are exposed to the specific allergen that triggers their allergy. 


These antibodies can be detected by two different types of testing: read more