What issues do we see?

Typical problems seen in the clinic where allergy may be a factor are immediate type food allergy, allergic rhinitis which can be in Spring or Summer (hay fever) or all year around, and asthma. Eczema is also seen and usually has several causes. In very young children it tends to increase the risk of going on to develop a food allergy or asthma and allergic rhinitis rather than be a result of an allergy. It’s main cause is a defective skin barrier and increased water loss through the skin. Insect stings may also be a cause of immediate allergy.

What to expect at your consultation

At the clinic patients are assessed with a detailed history and examination. In some cases skin prick testing or blood testing will help confirm the diagnosis.
How to use an adrenaline pen may be required.
Lung function testing for asthma and asthma and allergic rhinitis management are also provided.
In some cases of allergic rhinitis grass pollen immunotherapy can provide a significant reduction in symptoms and we are currently enrolling patients for hay fever immunotherapy.

Clinical Advice

01.

Allergy Testing

Any testing we do is selective as testing against a range of foods is not advisable and as well as being misleading for parents can lead to undue anxiety and unnecessary dietary restriction.
In children airborne allergy is often very relevant in asthma and always in allergic rhinitis.

02.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Allergies

Adult gastrointestinal symptoms tend not to be associated with allergy and should be managed by a patient’s own general practitioner, if necessary in conjunction with a gastroenterologist.

03.

Referrals

In some instances it may be necessary to arrange further management through a tertiary care allergy clinic, however the vast majority of allergic conditions can be managed in the clinic.

04.

Expectations

Managing an allergy needs time and correct advice on avoiding the allergen, dietary advice and in some cases it may be possible to take the allergen in a modified form in the diet, rather than completely avoiding it. It is important to bear in mind that children are growing and developing and dietary advice needs to be appropriate and adjusted as your child grows and also appropriate foryoung people.

The aim is to improve symptoms and to minimise the impact of the allergy on a child or youngperson and help with the uncertainties around food allergy and their family’s quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Allergy?

An allergy is caused by an abnormal reaction by the immune system to a substance, usually a protein, called ‘an allergen’.

When Do Symptoms Occur?

Typical symptoms occur within minutes to 2 hours after the allergen has
been eaten. Symptoms can also develop after the allergen has been inhaled or in contact with the skin, mouth or eyes, and occur every time a person meets that allergen.

What are the Symptoms of an Allergy?

Symptoms of an immediate type allergy include itchy, red skin , hives, swelling of the lips, eyelids, face or tongue called angioedema, sudden onset of sneezing or blocked nose. Sometimes vomiting or stomach pain may occur. 

In some cases coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint orcollapsing may occur which is called anaphylaxis (pronounced an-af-ee-lax-is’) needing urgent attention. These symptoms are signs of an immediate allergy.

What About Allergies in Infants?

Infants can sometimes develop a delayed allergic reaction to cows milk protein several hours or 1-2 days after drinking formula or eating dairy produce, causing vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation or blood in the stools.

Useful Websites

Dr Jarlath Healy

Dr Healy has been working in asthma and general practice paediatrics for 30 years having trained in the National Children’s Hospital and Cork University Hospital and holds the MRCPI Paediatrics qualification and Postgraduate Diploma in Allergy from the Imperial College, London. 

He is a member of the Irish Food Allergy Network, The British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

For further details please see www.tippallergyclinic.com

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