An allergy is an abnormal reaction by a person’s immune system against a normally harmless substances that we are commonly exposed to.

Allergies can be respiratory (seasonal allergies, allergy to birch or tree pollen, allergy to grass or ragweed, allergies to cats, dogs, dust mites, mold, etc.) and generally trigger rhinitis (nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing), conjunctivitis (itchy or runny eyes) and/or asthma (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and oppression of the chest). Respiratory allergies are different from food allergies (allergy to milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, wheat, nuts, fish, crustaceans, etc.), which can trigger more severe reactions, including anaphylaxis. Not to be overlooked are allergies to vespids (bees and wasps).

That’s an excellent question that is rather complex and the subject of continuing scientific research.

On the one hand, eczema and atopic dermatitis are suspected gateways for food allergies in certain people. On the other hand, for many patients with allergies, there appears to be a natural progression of their allergic condition. This sequential development of various allergic conditions and symptoms is referred to as the atopic or allergy march. It highlights a tendency for allergic patients to suffer initially from eczema (atopic dermatitis) then food allergies and subsequently, respiratory allergies and/or asthma. We do know that patients with respiratory allergies are at increased risk of developing other respiratory allergies and/or asthma, particularly if not treated with immunotherapy. Oral allergy syndrome, also called “pollen-food allergy syndrome”, is a form of food allergy that is related to one or more respiratory allergies.

A person with no history of allergies can indeed experience sudden onset of a respiratory or severe food allergy.

More usually, allergic patients will come with past history of eczema (atopic dermatitis), food allergy at a young age, asthma or perhaps a positive familial history of allergies. Yet more and more commonly are we seeing patients developing allergies “out of the blue”. Unfortunately, science does not yet fully understand the mechanisms involved to explain why this happens. Several theories attempt to explain the sudden development of a specific immunologic reaction to a normally harmless substance. A recent and controversial theory proposed by Polly Matzinger (www.medscape.com) explains that immune responses are triggered by ‘danger signals’ released by the body’s own cells. In other words, traumatic events or even psychological factors could contribute to the development of an allergic response to a substance the immune system had formerly reacted ‘normally’ to.

Unfortunately not… not at this point!

Parents will be pleased to know that all of our products are extremely gentle, even for young children.

Our nurse has extensive experience in paediatric hospital and allergy clinic settings. Our entire staff will ensure that your ENT or allergy test is a positive experience. Babies (big or small!), timid toddlers or worried parents will all benefit from our staff’s care and expertise. We are using products state-of-the-art testing products specifically making use of the neurological gate-control theory that involves the activation of nerve cells that block pain transmission, resulting in pain suppression. The device’s touch post activates these nerve cells to inhibit pain, while the refined points provide well-defined wheals with very little tissue trauma.