Allergy Appointment
At Rose Cottage Medical Centre, we offer specialist treatment for allergies, so if you suffer from an allergy or would like to get checked out, then we can help.
Having been trained and mentored by the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Children’s Allergy Unit, practice director, Dr Victoria Smith, provides professional and up-to-date treatment within this area. Dr Smith is a member of the Australasian Society of Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) group and has expert knowledge to ensure the very best intervention.
Also here at Rose Cottage, we are privileged to have Associate Professor Paul Cameron as part of our team. As well as specialised immunology, Professor Cameron also accepts referrals for allergy testing. Speak to your GP for a referral to Professor Cameron if his specialty is something that might benefit your needs.
Allergy Testing
When you come to Rose Cottage Medical Centre for a consultation, your doctor will carry out a health assessment, diagnosing any issues that may be evident, as well as managing any existing conditions. Whether you have a longstanding allergy or are simply concerned you might have one, we can do all the necessary checks for your peace of mind.
For allergy appointments with Dr Victoria Smith and Professor Paul Cameron, we do require referrals in order to make a appointment and process a Medicare rebate, please arrange one from your own GP and once we have received this, our reception team can make an appointment for you.
Pre-test Information
Please do not take any antihistamines from 7 days prior to your appointment, including Serc Tinnitus and Amitriptyline, until after your testing.
If you need to take any or you have had a recent allergic reaction in the 6 weeks prior to your appointment you will need to contact our reception team.
We also cannot perform the Skin Pick Test for at least six weeks if patients have experienced any of the following:
- An anaphylactic reaction
- Breathing difficulties
- Swelling of the tongue
- Tightness in the throat
- Difficulties talking/hoarse
- Wheezing or persistent coughing
- Persistent dizziness or collapsing
- Paleness or floppiness (young children)
PLEASE NOTE: Saline or corticosteroid nasal sprays such as Rhinocort, Flixonase and Beconase have NO effect on testing.
However some nasal sprays may contain a antihistamine component, eg Dymista, Zyrtec as well as some asthma medication, please check with your GP practice or pharmacist if your medication may contain this and stop taking 7 days prior to your appointment.
It’s also important that you don’t put any oils, moisturisers, suntan lotions or cortisone creams/ointments on your arms 24 hours before testing.
If you have flu like symptoms, a cough, or fever, please do not attend your appointment. Please phone us and we will be happy to reschedule your appointment.
We understand that in some circumstances you can miss your appointment. However please be aware that we do have a 48 hour cancellation policy in place with your appointment. If we are not notified and the appointment is missed there may be a fee associated.
You will be in the clinic appropriately 1 to 2 hours this will include your consult and allergy testing.
You’ll see both your preferred allergy doctor and a nurse.
Skin Pick Testing will be carried out: This involves applying a small drop of allergen serum to the arm, which is then gently pricked.
The allergen is then wiped from the skin. Results are available just afterwards and will reveal if there is an allergy.
If so, we’ll discuss treatment options for you.
Follow-up appointments for all allergy patients are required to ensure accurate results are being achieved.
If you feel that you may react to something not listed, please bring it with you to your appointment. If you are wanting to be tested for certain foods, please bring a small portion with you.
MITES
- Dust Mites
- House Dust
TREES
- Birch
- Cypress
- Pine
- Gum
- Acacia
- Brome
GRASSES
- Bahia Grass
- Bermuda Grass
- Cocksfoot / Orchard
- Meadow Fescue
- Meadow Grass / Kentucky Blue
- Plantain
- Rye Grass
- Mugwort
- Timothy
- Yorkshier
- Ragweed
ANIMALS
- Dog
- Cat
NUTS
- Almond
- Cashew
- Peanut
- Pecan
- Pistachio
- Hazelnut
- Macadamia
- Walnut
- Brazil
- Pine
OTHER FOODS
- Soy
- Baker's Yeast
- Wheat
- Cow's Milk
- Eggs - Raw, white and yolk (Please bring with you)
- Eggs - Cooked (Please bring with you)
SEAFOOD
If you have any concerns in regards to fish, shellfish, crustaceans or molluscs, please bring the relevant item with you, in raw form for testing.
OTHER
- Latex
- Penicillin
- Morphine
At Rose Cottage Medical Centre, we request a deposit fee of $100 when booking your appointment, which is non-refundable.
This will come off the total payment of the allergy testing on the day.
Upon completion of the allergy appointment, will cost approximately $300 - $500.
You will receive a large portion of that back through Medicare (approximately a third - half), on the day.
Your doctor might recommend the use of extra items to aid your treatment, which will cost extra. Have a look at our fees page for more information. Please note, there are separate fees for food allergens, airborne allergens and drug/ medication allergens.
This is used to find the cause of contact dermatitis to such things as household cleaning agents, make ups, sunscreens, lotions etc.
It is also used to detect metal allergies, for example jewelry, or prior to a joint replacement or cardiac surgery.
We apply 20 - 60 allergens via patches to the back. These stay in place for 5 days, then are checked, and then read again 2 days later.
For this reason we like to make three appointments e.g. Monday application, checked Wednesday and final check and results discussed Friday.
During these five days the back must be kept dry - so no showers or exercise - as this could cause the patches to come off.
Patch Testing Fees
We require payment before the testing as we order the patch test plates specifically for your allergen/s.
The patches range between $250 - $350 of which you receive a portion back from Medicare.
