Dr Caroline West explains the most effective ways to treat – and beat –hayfever
allergy
Immunotherapy treatment
Immunotherapy should always be carried out by a doctor trained in allergy, and in Australia is usually carried out in specialist allergy clinics or hospitals.
Video: Food allergy and anaphylaxis
A food allergy is when the body reacts to a protein it thinks is harmful and starts to protect itself. Some of the signs and symptoms are associated with the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, breathing, the heart and blood pressure.
Video: Living with food allergy
Kate describes what it's like to be diagnosed with life-threatening food allergy, what foods she's allergic to, and how she manages her allergies on a daily basis.
Insect sting allergy
The most common allergic reactions come with stings from bees, wasps and ants. The degree of allergy varies widely, however, most people experiencing only mild symptoms are not considered allergic.
Australian scorpion stings not fatal
Contrary to popular belief, Australian scorpion stings do not appear to have life-threatening effects, even in children.
Mammalian meat allergy
Symptoms of mammalian meat allergy usually start 3-6 hours after eating the meat or meat product, but can be between 2-10 hours after, sometimes waking a person in the middle of the night.
Australia leads the world in deaths from anaphylaxis
More people in Australia are dying from anaphylaxis than in any other developed country, warn immunologists, with medication and bee stings the biggest culprits.
Warmer weather brings white-tail spiders out to play
White-tail spiders are on the prowl, according to data collected by myDr.com.au, with the warmer weather bringing more people into contact with the nocturnal arachnids.
Ant sting anaphylaxis mostly due to jack jumpers
Jack jumper ants are the most common cause of anaphylaxis (severe allergy) after ant stings, followed by bulldog ants, a study shows.
