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What to bring to
Your appointment

  • Bring your Medicare Card
  • Bring your GP Referral (If it has expired)
  • Bring any “special” cup or bowl that your child likes.
  • Bring a couple of suitable activities for your child, remembering that a challenge can take up to 4 hours eg. Playing cards, iPad, puzzles, colouring books.
  • Bring along a change of clothes for your child and yourself (just in case).
  • As space is limited in the clinic, we can only accommodate one parent. Please do make separate arrangements for other children.
  • Before the appointment, if your child is hungry, please let them only have a light, non-fatty meal. This will help prevent prolonged absorption and a delayed allergic reaction during the challenge.
  • Please ensure your child has no significant exercise/running activities during or after the challenge, as this may increase the risk of a serious allergic reaction.

For
Food Challenge

Please bring along the a) challenge-food, and b) something to mix the challenge-food with if desired. The tables on the next page will provide you with a guide.

Please ensure that the food used to mix the challenge-food with is something which your child is normally able to tolerate.

Example of challenge food to bring/make.

 

For
For an antibiotic or medication challenge

Please bring along the relevant antibiotic or medication.

Your specialist will have already provided you with the script for the antibiotic or medication at the time of the consultation

Please ensure that the script is filled with a pharmacist on the week of the challenge.

For
Moisturisers and Creams, and Allergy Testing

Do not apply moisturisers or creams to you child’s back or forearms on the day of the visit (this is where a skin test will be performed). Please continue using your creams on other parts of the body if required.

For
Antihistamines and Allergy Testing

Do not give your child antihistamines for 5 days before the visit as this can interfere with allergy test results. This includes:

  • Claratyne, Zyrtec, Aerius
  • Phenergan, Polarmine
  • Vallergan
  • Dimetapp, Demazin, or any other cough mixtures.

Important Information

01.
Please ensure that your child is well with no viral infection.

If your child is unwell with a virus (runny nose, cough, fevers) this increases the chance of a severe allergic reaction occurring.

Action: Please immediately call MACCS on 03 9345 6888 to discuss and possibly reschedule the challenge

02.
If your child has asthma, please ensure that this is well controlled.

If your child is unwell with asthma, this also increases the likelihood of a severe allergic reaction occurring.

We consider asthma to be poorly controlled if your child has symptoms of asthma (coughing, wheezing, chest tightness) and needing Ventolin 2 times/week or more leading up to the challenge.

Action: Please arrange to see your GP for an asthma review and immediately call MACCS on 03 9345 6888

03.
Please ensure that your child has not had any antihistamines for at least 5 days before the challenge.

If your child has taken an antihistamine within 5 days, this may potentially mask a true allergic reaction occurring.

Please do not discontinue your child’s usual asthma preventers (Flixotide/Seretide) and nasal sprays.

Action: Please immediately call MACCS on 03 9345 6888 to discuss and possibly reschedule the challenge