An allergy care service is now available from South Island Allergy Services, based at Riccarton Clinic. This service offers consultations and testing for a wide range of aero-allergens such as pollen or cat hair. Desensitisation is offered for these. Consultations can also be arranged with a visiting specialist for patients who suspect having food allergies.
An allergen is any substance, such as pollen or certain foods, which triggers an allergic reaction in some people. We're really excited to have a close relationship with the new South Island Allergy Service.
South Island Allergy Service [SIAS](website) offers an allergy care service to enrolled and casual patients, over the age of 5 years old. Services to patients can be by referral by their own GP (see HealthPathways for details), whether enrolled or casual, or patients can self-refer via the SIAS website. The service was originally restricted to aero-allergens such as pollen or cat hair but testing can now be offered for food allergies. Appointments can be made via the Riccarton Clinic reception team or by contacting SIAS directly via their website.
The service commences with a consultation with a doctor who has received special training in allergy treatment or a visiting specialist. The next step is skin prick testing with a nurse. The skin prick testing determines exactly which allergen the patient has a response to.
Patients positive to aero-allergens may be treated by sub-lingual immunotherapy treatment with allergen extracts (Staloral) or with Oralair tablets (grass allergies). Staloral is produced by Stallergenes, a global pharmaceutical company. Desensitisation, the closest thing to a cure for hayfever, is one treatment option. To find out more please click on the link www.stallergenesgreer.com
Note: Prospective patients of this service who have a history of anaphylaxis or unstable asthma should not be tested by this service at Riccarton Clinic but should be referred to Christchurch Hospital, Allergy Skin Prick testing Clinic.
Additionally South Island Allergy Service can also provide sub-cutaneous immunotherapy treatment under the instructions of a Clinical Immunologist and under the supervision of the patient's regular GP.
