Welcome to the Eden Unit – Allergy
Allergy Clinic
These clinics are for people with suspected allergies to foods, drugs and aeroallergens such as hayfever. We also care for people with recurrent allergic-type rashes and swellings. We do not usually see people whose main problem is eczema. The most important thing we will do on the day of your appointment is to take a detailed history of your symptoms. Based on this history we may suggest some allergy testing. Allergy testing is not always necessary and this will be discussed on the day. If allergy testing is appropriate, we try to do as much as we can on the day but further appointments may be necessary. We offer 3 different types of allergy testing.
1) Allergy blood tests.
2) Skin Prick Testing (SPT) – a few gentle scratches on the skin in the presence of your suspected allergens. It is not painful but can get itchy if you react. If you suspect a particular food please follow these instructions;
- Bring a small sample of that food to your appointment. Make sure it is individually wrapped and is not contaminated with anything else.
- Avoid antihistamines for 5 days before your appointment as they will affect the test.
3) Challenge Testing – this will require a separate appointment and is only undertaken in certain circumstances. If it is relevant to you it will be discussed in detail during a clinic visit.
If you suffer daily or frequent symptoms of itchy rash and/or swelling and you rely on regular antihistamines to keep you comfortable then please continue them as normal and discuss this with your doctor by contacting the department on 01752 431675 before your appointment.
We also offer;
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Self-Injectable Adrenaline Pen Training – full training and advice will be given by our specialist nurse if you are prescribed a self-injectable adrenaline pen, to help you feel confident about how and when to use it correctly.
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Allergy Desensitization – unfortunately this is only available for certain insect sting allergies and specific pollen allergies. We can discuss the possibility of desensitization at your allergy clinic appointment.
What is the Eden Unit?
The Eden Unit is on Level 7 of Derriford Hospital; we care for patients with certain allergic diseases and disorders of the immune system. Our lead consultant is Dr Claire Bethune (consultant Clinical Immunologist). We hold a number of different clinics within the Eden Unit and see patients from across the entire South West Peninsula. We also have a day- case Unit where patients undergo specialist treatment or investigations. We are committed to training the next generation of Doctors and Nurses and regularly have medical and nursing students in the Eden Unit. We are committed to continually improving our service where we can. We conduct patient satisfaction questionnaires twice a year and are always happy to receive constructive feedback.
Allergy clinics can be Doctor or Nurse led and are held throughout the week. We conduct many of our follow up clinics by telephone to save our patients travelling long distances to see us. If this is appropriate for your case, it will be discussed at the end of your appointment.
Please read this information carefully as you may be required to bring certain things with you to your appointment or follow other instructions to ensure you get the most out of your clinic visit.
