Allergies - Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology...An extended RAST panel can be performed for an...

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Allergies and their diagnosis

Transcript of Allergies - Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology...An extended RAST panel can be performed for an...

Page 1: Allergies - Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology...An extended RAST panel can be performed for an additional fee. Please refer to the tables below for information on extended RAST panels

Allergies and their diagnosis

Page 2: Allergies - Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology...An extended RAST panel can be performed for an additional fee. Please refer to the tables below for information on extended RAST panels

What are allergies?Allergies are very common in Australia and they are on the increase in both adults and children. About one in three people will be affected at some time in their lives.

An allergy is an overreaction by the body’s immune system to everyday things that should not normally bother people. Allergens are substances that cause allergies and can be found in the environment.

Allergic sensitivity tends to run in families. Most people can have multiple allergies. However, everyone reacts differently; something that is a problem for one person may not be for someone else. Most allergic reactions are due to a particular antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE).

The first time you are exposed to a substance or allergen you are unlikely to have a major reaction; instead your immune system creates IgE antibodies and you become 'sensitised'. The next time you come into contact with the allergen, the IgE identifies it and triggers the release of chemicals, including histamine, that cause your symptoms.

What are common allergens in our area?Food: Cashew, Egg, Milk, Peanut, Soy, Shrimp (prawn), Wheat

Environment: Dust mite

Grasses: Bahia, Bermuda, Johnson

Moulds: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus

Animals: Cat, Dog

What symptoms might you experience?Asthma, allergic rhinitis (runny nose), allergic conjunctivitis (weepy eyes), atopic dermatitis (itchy skin), urticaria (hives), upset stomach and bowel.

Anaphylaxis is a less common but far more serious reaction that affects the whole body. It can be life-threatening, and requires urgent medical treatment.

Page 3: Allergies - Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology...An extended RAST panel can be performed for an additional fee. Please refer to the tables below for information on extended RAST panels

What tests are available?

RAST (Radioallergosorbent test)

RAST is a way of testing your blood to confirm what you may be

allergic to by looking for antibodies to specific substances.

Your doctor will take a detailed clinical history regarding your allergic reactions and exposure to various substances. RAST test is a simple blood test and no other preparation is required.

The blood is collected in a single tube and sent to the laboratory for testing. Your doctor will interpret the tests using your clinical history to determine next steps.

An extended RAST panel can be performed for an additional fee. Please refer to the tables below for information on extended RAST panels currently available.

Extended RAST Food Panel

Almond Hazelnut Sesame seed

Banana Mango Shrimp (prawn)

Cashew Milk (cow) Soybean

Codfish Peanut Walnut

Egg white Rice Wheat

Extended RAST Inhalant Panel

Acacia (wattle) Blomia tropicalis Dust mite

Alternaria alternata Cat dander Eucalyptus

Aspergillus Cladosporium Horse dander

Bahia grass Common ragweed Johnson grass

Bermuda grass Dog dander Perennial rye grass

Extended RAST Combined Allergy Panel (all ages*)

Almond Dust mite Mould mix

Cashew nut Egg white Peanut

Cat dander Grass mix Shrimp (prawn)

Codfish Hazelnut Soy

Dog dander Milk (cow) Wheat

*Preferable for children (<12 years) due to low serum volume.

Extended RAST Nut Allergy Panel

Almond Macadamia Pine nut

Brazil Peanut Sesame seed

Cashew Peanut (Ara-h2) Walnut

Hazelnut Pecan

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Is specialised allergy testing available?

Recombinant allergensA traditional RAST test looks for all of the proteins present in a

food or substance. Food and environmental allergens are made

up of multiple different proteins.

Recombinant allergen testing looks at specific characterised proteins within an allergen which may cause allergic symptoms.

Recombinant allergens available for testing: � Alpha-gal � Omega-5 gliadin � Peanut (Ara-h2)

Please discuss testing options with your doctor.

How much does allergy testing cost?Although RAST tests are available for a wide range of allergens, Medicare Australia sets limits on the number, type and frequency of tests you can have.

The extended RAST panels cannot be bulk billed and a complex test fee applies. All patients will receive an account with anout-of-pocket cost of $120 after claiming the Medicare rebate.

Recombinant allergen tests incur a $60 out-of-pocket cost per allergen.

At SNP, allergy testing is performed by a skilled and experienced team of scientists and pathologists.

Dr Kennedy graduated from the University of Queensland and trained in clinical immunology and allergy at the Royal Brisbane Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Dr Kennedy works in both laboratory and clinical practice in allergy and immunology. He actively participates in the education of practitioners in allergy management and diagnosis. Carl works in Brisbane and Toowoomba and sees both children and adults.

Dr Kennedy has a special interest in improving the awareness of allergy in the general community and the facilitation of correct management and identification of allergy.

Dr Carl Kennedy

Your Pathologist - Dr Carl Kennedy MBBS, FRACP, FRCPA

Page 5: Allergies - Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology...An extended RAST panel can be performed for an additional fee. Please refer to the tables below for information on extended RAST panels

Details correct at the time of printing. May be subject to change without notice.

How can I have allergy testing performed?Pathology is a medical specialty, so your doctor will need to complete a pathology request form to refer you for allergy tests.

Where can I have my blood test collected?Blood collections for RAST tests are performed at our collection centres. No appointment is required.

For a full list of collection centres and their opening hours, visit www.snp.com.au.

SNP Collection Centres Locator App now available for iPhone and iPad and Android

DISCLAIMERThe images used in this brochure are for illustrative purposes only. They are from stock libraries and the people portrayed in them are models. In no way is it suggested that these people have health problems.

Meridio 270831 / Item 34106 September 2018

SULLIVAN NICOLAIDES PTY LTD • ABN 38 078 202 196 A subsidiary of Sonic Healthcare Limited • ABN 24 004 196 90924 HURWORTH STREET • BOWEN HILLS • QLD 4006 • AUSTRALIA TEL (07) 3377 8666 • FAX (07) 3318 7409P O BOX 2014 • FORTITUDE VALLEY • QLD 4006 • AUSTRALIAwww.snp.com.au