Allergy & Pathology

The allergy specialists at UHMC offer expert diagnosis, evaluation and treatment for adult, adolescent and paediatric patients with immune and allergic diseases.

Allergy in Children

Asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema and food allergy are some of the most common allergies in children. Some fast facts about paediatric allergies:

1 out of 3 infants and young children with eczema has an underlying food allergy and may benefit from a diet or other form of avoidance. Persistent symptoms demand an allergy test and special diets should only be conducted under specialist guidance. Many patients benefit from aeroallergen control too.

Up to 7 out of 10 children with rhinitis are allergic and benefit from a skin allergy test.

1 out of 3 preschool and 2 out of 3 school children with recurrent wheezing/coughing are allergic and require skin allergy testing to know the cause.

Allergy Testing

Indicators that you might need an allergy test:

Digestive system: recurrent colic, vomiting, diarrhoea, poor growth, heartburn, constipation.

Skin-eczema: recurrent itchy rashes that leave marks; often concur with airway allergies.

Skin-urticaria (hives) Angio-oedema (swelling): itchy, swollen rashes, which recur but disappear without leaving marks.

Upper airway nose, tonsils, adenoids, throat, and sinuses at all ages: morning sneezing, itchy nose, throat, recurrent tonsillitis, snoring, dry night coughing and recurrent sinusitis.

Lower airway–asthma/ wheezing/cough at all ages: recurrent wheezing, night cough, exercise-induced wheezing and pneumonia.

Insect sting reactions: only requires consultation, but serious reaction needs full allergy testing for future management.

Anaphylaxis: sudden body itching, hives, breathing difficulty, swollen body, fainting and fatal shock.