Allergy occurs when your immune system overreacts to non-threatening substances. Substances that cause allergic reactions are called allergens. Any substance can be an allergen including insects, medications, foods, dust mites, grass and pollen. They can enter the body through your airway, skin, foods that you eat or medications that you take.

When people are affected by allergens their immune systems can cause them to react in different ways. Often these reactions affect the nose, eyes, sinus and throat. The severity of allergic reactions can vary from mild (hay fever) to severe and life-threatening (anaphylaxis).

Who we care for

Many children and young people with allergies are managed by their general practitioner (GP). Your GP will refer you to a paediatrician or specialist allergy clinic if they feel more specific testing or treatment is required. Symptoms that often need a referral to a paediatrician or allergy clinic include severe eczema, food or environmental allergies, or to investigate significant events or reactions that may be allergy related.

Paediatric allergy services are based at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital, North West Regional Hospital (Burnie) and Mersey Community Hospital (Latrobe). Depending on the outcome of assessment in clinic your child may be referred for food challenges, skin prick testing, lung function testing or blood tests.