We at Pakenham Medical Centre diagnose and manage patients with all kind of allergies.
Allergies tend to occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance — such as pollen, bee venom or pet dander — that doesn’t cause a reaction in most people. The in-build immune system in our body produces substances known as antibodies. Some antibodies protect you from unwanted invaders that could make you sick or cause infection.

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When you have allergies, your immune system makes antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even though it isn’t. When you come into contact with the allergen, your immune system’s reaction can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system. Common allergy triggers include:
  •  Airborne allergens, such as pollen, animal dander, dust mites and mold
  • Certain foods, particularly peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs and milk
  • Insect stings, such as bee stings or wasp stings
  • Medications, particularly penicillin or penicillin-based antibiotics
  • Latex or other substances you touch, which can cause allergic skin reactions
Risk factors You may be at increased risk of developing an allergy if you:
  •   Have a family history of asthma or allergies? You are at an increased risk of allergies if you have family members with asthma or allergies such as hay fever, hives or eczema.
  •  Are you a child?. Children are more likely to develop an allergy than are adults. Children sometimes outgrow allergic conditions as they get older. However, it’s not uncommon for allergies to go away and then come back some time later.
  • Have asthma or an allergic condition? . Having asthma increases your risk of developing an allergy. Also, having one type of allergic condition makes you more likely to be allergic to something else.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to an allergy, please consult our general practitioner at Pakenham Medical Centre. Here’s some information to help you prepare for your appointment with us. What you can do:
  • Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to allergies.
  • Write down your family’s history of allergy and asthma, including specific types of allergies, if you know them.
  • List medications, vitamins and supplements you take.
  • Ask us if you should stop any medications before your appointment. For example, antihistamines can affect the results of an allergy skin test.