Food allergy/anaphylaxis resources

 

ANAPHYLAXIS ACTION PLANS

•These do not expire, but it is wise to have these checked by your GP when seeing your GP each year to renew adrenaline autoinjector prescriptions and device training.

  1. •The most up to date ASCIA Action Plans are on the ASCIA website.

  2. •It is often useful to download these and take a copy to your GP to complete at the same appointment


ADRENALINE AUTOINJECTOR DEVICES

•Shelf life is generally 1-2 years depending on the device.

•Expired devices will still work many months post expiry, so can be used pending replacement.

•New and renewed prescriptions can be obtained from your GP

•Additional devices (eg. Overseas travel, after school, care, living in more than one household) can also be purchased across the counter without a prescription at a higher price

  1. •A GP can write a Medicare subsidized authorities prescription in association with a recognised authorising specialist (paediatrician, respiratory physician, accident and emergency specialist or allergy/immunology specialist) by ringing the Medicare authority line and quoting the name of the authorising registered medical specialist, pending an appointment.

  2. •Examples may be a new cases of anaphylaxis, an individual with previous milder reactions who has a more serious reaction, a child with food allergy now starting school or planned overseas travel.


REPEAT ALLERGY TESTING

If you wish for repeat allergy testing, this can be undertaken by skin testing or blood allergy testing.

Your GP can order blood allergy tests but it is wise to not try to save money by ordering “food mixes” allergy tests. These can provide misleading results (eg. Will be negative in someone with cashew allergy as there is no cashew in the mix). You are better off ordering specific food tests. Eg. Prawn, peanut, cashew, sesame seed if needed.

On the other hand if you have a child starting school next week, for example, you should assume that management remains the same until persistent allergy is proven or disproven; avoid the known allergic triggers and maintain an updated action plan including availability of emergency medication.

Last reviewed 17 December 2023