Allergies
Allergies and hypersensitivities
An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system overreacts to a foreign substance that usually causes few or no problems in most people.
Allergic reactions to antibiotics
Some people have an allergic reaction to antibiotics. Learn about the symptoms and the difference between allergic reactions and side effects.
Allergic reactions to cow's milk
About 1 in 50 infants has an allergic reaction to cow’s milk. Learn more here about allergy to milk proteins.
Allergy testing
Suffering from asthma or hay fever? They may be triggered by allergies. Find out more here about allergy testing.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is very serious and can even be fatal. See here for the symptoms to look out for and what to do in an emergency.
Antihistamines
Antihistamine medications help ease allergy symptoms. Read more here about how they are used to treat conditions like hay fever and asthma.
Asthma
Asthma symptoms include a cough, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness. Learn about the causes, symptoms - and the treatments - here.
Bites and stings
Most insect bites and stings are relatively harmless - but some spiders, snakes and sea creatures can be very dangerous. Learn more about them here.
Contact dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin is commonly termed eczema or dermatitis. It can be effectively managed with treatment – find out how.
Food allergies
Some people have an allergic reaction to a normally harmless ingredient or type of food. This immune system response can range from mild to severe.
Food allergies in children
Does your family have a history of eczema, asthma, hay fever or food allergies? Learn about food allergies in children and how to spot a reaction.
Hay fever
Hay fever is the common term for 'allergic rhinitis', which affects up to 1 in 5 Australians at some point in their life. Learn here how to manage it.
Hives
Hives is a skin rash that is often triggered by an infection or allergy. Learn to recognise symptoms.
Immune system
Your body's immune system is designed to protect you from, or get rid of, infection. Find out more about how the immune system works.
Cat and dog allergy
Allergies to cats and dogs are common, and symptoms can be severe. Learn more about how to live with a pet allergy.
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Found 3240 results
Peanut allergy | myVMC
Food allergies, including allergy to peanuts and other nuts, can have effects at several different sites in the body, including the mouth, throat, lungs, skin and gastrointestinal tract
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Updated allergy advice for infants
Updated infant feeding guidelines make new recommendations on preventing allergies in children.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Egg Allergy | myVMC
Food allergies can have effects at several different sites in the body, including the mouth, throat, lungs, skin and gastrointestinal tract
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Milk Allergy | myVMC
Food allergies can have effects at several different sites in the body, including the mouth, throat, lungs, skin and gastrointestinal tract
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Food Allergy | myVMC
Food allergy refers to a specific allergic reaction, known as a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction, to a specific food (or foods), which is mediated by proteins known as IgE
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
RAST (serum specific IgE) allergy testing information | myVMC
RAST is a type of allergy test that detects allergens specific to immunoglobulin E in the blood. It is used in the management of hay fever and food allergy.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
ASCIA Guidelines for infant feeding and allergy prevention
ASCIA has developed these guidelines to outline practices that may help reduce the risk of infants developing allergies.
Read more on ASCIA – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website
Food allergies & food intolerance in kids | Raising Children Network
Whats the difference between food allergies and food intolerance in children? How do you reduce the risk of kids developing allergies? This guide explains.
Read more on Raising Children Network website
Managing food allergies & food intolerance | Raising Children Network
If your child has food allergies or food intolerance, the most important thing is avoiding the food. You also need to know about symptoms and reactions.
Read more on Raising Children Network website
Health Conditions Related to Nutrition | myVMC
Many health conditions are associated with food, either effecting the diet or resulting from the diet. These health conditions range from food allergies, to malnutrition or obesity, to anorexia and bulimia.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Found 72 results
Antihistamines and allergy | Australian Prescriber
There is now little role for sedating antihistamines in allergic conditions. Discover why they should be avoided.
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Anaphylaxis Adrenaline (Epipen), Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone | Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority - ASADA
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can be rapid in onset and in very rare cases result in death. Anaphylaxis is commonly caused by triggers such as nuts, shellfish, stinging insects and some medications. In some cases no trigger can be identified.Status of medication in sportAdrenaline Adrenaline is prohibited in-competition and requires a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). It is usually given as an injection for the management of anaphylaxis. Usually only one or two doses are required.
Read more on Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) website
Oral immunotherapy for the treatment of peanut allergy | Cochrane
Allergy to peanut can result in potentially life-threatening reactions and, on occasions, death. Unlike many other forms of food allergy, allergy to peanut is typically life-long. There is currently no cure for peanut allergy and people with this allergy must constantly be careful to avoid accidentally eating peanut or peanut-containing foods. If a person with a peanut allergy accidentally ingests peanut, he or she may develop serious allergic reactions necessitating emergency treatment with epinephrine (adrenaline).
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Formulas containing hydrolysed protein for prevention of allergy and food intolerance in infants | Cochrane
When babies are not exclusively breastfed, use of hydrolysed infant formula instead of ordinary cow's milk formula may reduce allergies in babies and children, although further studies are needed to confirm this. Infant formulas have been designed to try to lower the chances of developing allergy or food intolerance. These include hydrolysed cow's and soy milk formulas. Hydrolysed formulas break down the milk proteins into smaller, potentially less allergy producing proteins. The review of trials found that there is no evidence to support feeding with a hydrolysed formula to prevent allergy in preference to exclusive breastfeeding. In infants at high risk for allergy who are unable to be completely breastfed, there is limited evidence that feeding with a hydrolysed formula compared to a cow's milk formula reduces allergies in babies and children, including cow's milk allergy. Concerns regarding quality of the evidence and consistency of the results indicates further studies are needed.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Soy formula for prevention of allergy and food intolerance in infants | Cochrane
When babies are not exclusively breastfed, evidence suggests that using a soy formula instead of a cow's milk formula does not reduce allergies in infants and children. Infant formulas have been designed to try to lower the chances of developing allergy or food intolerance. These formulas include hydrolysed cow's milk and soy formulas. A review of trials found that in infants at high risk of allergy who are unable to completely breastfeed, there is no reduction in allergies in later infancy and childhood associated with feeding soy formula compared to a cow's milk formula. No eligible studies were found that compared a soy with a hydrolysed protein formula.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Oral and sublingual immunotherapy (giving people small amounts of things they are allergic to via their mouth or under their tongue) for fruit allergy | Cochrane
Oral and sublingual immunotherapy (giving people small amounts of things they are allergic to via their mouth or under their tongue) for fruit allergy
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Fish oil (n-3 or omega-3) for pregnant mothers or breastfeeding mothers to prevent allergies in their young children | Cochrane
Fish oil (n-3 or omega-3) for pregnant mothers or breastfeeding mothers to prevent allergies in their young children
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Sublingual immunotherapy (tablets, spray or drops under the tongue) to treat inflammation of the conjunctiva due to allergy | Cochrane
Sublingual immunotherapy (tablets, spray or drops under the tongue) to treat inflammation of the conjunctiva due to allergy
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Specific allergy immunotherapy for the treatment of atopic eczema | Cochrane
At least one in seven children and one in 50 adults suffer from atopic eczema, a skin condition characterised by an itchy red rash. People with atopic eczema are allergic to things in the environment, such as house dust mites, and exposure to what they are allergic to may make their eczema worse. Specific allergen immunotherapy is a treatment that involves a course of injections or drops under the tongue containing the substance to which a person is allergic. The treatment can reduce the severity of a person's allergy and may therefore be able to reduce symptoms of atopic eczema. We evaluated whether specific allergen immunotherapy was better or worse than a standard treatment or placebo at improving disease severity and symptoms as assessed by participants, parents, or investigators.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Jack Jumper Ant Allergy - a uniquely Australian problem - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
Allergic reactions to stinging ants are an important cause of anaphylaxis in Australia and the southern United States of America, and in some areas of the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East. Allergic reactions to the Jack Jumper ant (JJA; Myrmecia pilosula; also known as the Jumper Ant, Hopper Ant) are a uniquely Australian problem, although other species such as the Green Ant of Queensland, and the introduced South American Fire Ant can also cause allergic reactions.
Read more on ASCIA – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website
