Donate| Shop| Site Map| Compliments & Complaints| Contact Us
 
 
You are here: Home > Services > Specialized Pediatrics > Allergy
Allergy
What we do
Health care team
For families
For professionals
Research
Affiliations & partners
Contact us
 Quick Links
 
     
 

For families

Here is information on the following:

What is an allergy?


An allergy is an unusual reaction of the body caused by an allergen. An allergen is a substance that may get on the skin, be breathed into the body, eaten or injected.

Allergens can affect you by causing your immune system to have a reaction. This can result in symptoms such as:

-    Wheezing (asthma)

-    Watery eyes and runny nose (allergic rhinitis and hay fever)

-    Red, itchy bumps (hives) or eczema on the skin

-    Colic, vomiting or diarrhea in babies

-    Swelling of the throat causing an acute (severe and intense) shortness of breath

What will happen at my child's first visit to the Allergy Clinic?  (top of page)


The clinic staff will measure your child's weight and height and ask you some questions about your child's symptoms. The doctor will meet with you to get your child's full allergic history and do an examination. The doctor will give special attention to the way in which the symptoms affect your child. For example, if your child has a runny nose, the doctor will pay particular attention to your child's nose.  If the symptoms affect your child's chest, the doctor will pay particular attention to see if your child is wheezing or experiencing shortness of breath.

The doctor may order some other tests depending on your child's condition. These may include:

-    Skin tests

-    Blood tests

-    Chest x-ray

-    Lung function test

-    xercise tolerance test


The doctor will collect all of this information and make a diagnosis. He or she will then prescribe a treatment plan for your child. The doctor will meet with you to discuss the diagnosis, treatment and any alternatives that you may try. If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them with your doctor. A follow-up visit may be scheduled depending on your child's condition.

How long will the appointment last?  (top of page)

This appointment will take about two hours to gather all of the information needed to find out what treatment works best for your child.

How do I prepare my child for the visit?  (top of page)


At least 3 days before coming to the appointment, DO NOT give your child antihistamines (medicine usually taken to reduce the symptoms of colds and allergic reactions) for at least three days before coming to the appointment. Your child may need to stop using some antihistamines and other medication for a longer period of time before you come to the clinic appointment.

DAY OF APPOINTMENT:
    DO NOT take unless necessary for symptoms:

    -    Ventolin (Salbutamol)

    -    Bricanyl (Terbutaline)

    DO NOT stop taking:

    -    Pulmicort (Budesonide)

    -    Flovent (Fluticasone)

    -    Beclovent (Beclomethasone)

    -    Singulair (Montelukast)


3 DAYS BEFORE APPOINTMENT (top of page)
    STOP taking:

    -    Serevent (Salmeterol)

    -    Foradil (Formoterol)

    -    Oxeze (Formoterol)

    -    Symbicort

    -    Advair - if this is the child’s first appointment.
    DO NOT use:
     -   Benadryl

    -    Chlor-tripolon

    -    Dimetapp

    -    Gravol

    -    Any other antihistamines or pills for motion sickness

7 DAYS BEFORE APPOINTMENT
    DO NOT use: 
    -    Claritin

    -    Allegra

    -    Aerius

    -    Antidepressants


4 WEEKS BEFORE APPOINTMENT (top of page)
    DO NOT use:

    -    Zaditen (Ketotifen)

    -    Reactine

    -    Atarax

 

If you are not sure about a medication your child is using or if it has to be stopped, be sure to call the Allergy Clinic and ask about it.

Parents should call to confirm one week before the appointment at 604-875-2118.

 

Resources  (top of page)

For more information about the tests, see Your Visit to the Allergy Clinic in the Family Resource Library. The library has pamphlets, books and videotapes for loan. It is located on the 2nd floor of the Ambulatory Care Building.

You can find information on a wide variety of issues related to diagnosis, treatment and prevention of allergy and asthma at www.aaaai.org and www.acaai.org.

Information is available about specific conditions:

-    Anaphylaxis www.anaphylaxis.ca

-    Food allergy www.aaia.ca

-    Hereditary Angioneurotic Oedema www.haecanada.com

Information for Out-of-town families   (top of page)


For information about the travel assistance plan, please go to out-of-town families. You can also find out about travel, accommodation and other resources.