The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

EMBARGOED UNTIL 8 SEPTEMBER 2006

(coinciding with the 17th ASCIA Annual Scientific Meeting 7-10 September 2006)

As the days lengthen and the weather becomes warmer, some people will experience allergies. Here are some tips to make the warmer months more enjoyable. The most common in springtime is "hay fever", which can make Spring and summer quite miserable for some people.

Discussing the problem at in this week's conference of the Australasian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), Assoc Prof Pete Smith from Queensland said that "blocked and runny noses from inhaling seasonal pollens was common, but others experienced debilitating fatigue and poor concentration".

"Sometimes, wearing sunglasses, turning on the air-conditioning and drying the bedding inside during springtime can help. When that's not good enough, effective medicines are available to help control the majority of symptoms in most people".

"Unfortunately, drugs don't cure and but immunotherapy (also known as desensitization) has been shown to be very effective at dramatically reducing the severity and frequency of symptoms in those with seasonal allergies. New methods for immunotherapy, such as sublingual/oral immunotherapy which does not involve injections offer the promise of being able to treat younger sufferers who don't like needles!"

Spring and summer is also the time when stinging insects are about. Honey bees and wasps hover around our gardens and picnic tables. Speaking at the same conference, Assoc Prof Simon Brown from Fremantle Hospital (WA), explained that serious allergic reactions like anaphylaxis from stinging insects, were not only painful, but could also be life-threatening.

"A few people per year die from stinging insect allergy in Australia. Most people know that these and wasps can cause problems, but in some parts of Australia, allergic reactions from stinging ants like the Australian Jack jumper ant can be even more of a problem."

Assoc Prof Brown said that avoiding insect was difficult. Covering picnic food, not drinking out of soft drink cans, and avoiding bright coloured clothing and perfumes, as bees and wasps were attracted to these, was sensible when outside.

"For those with insect anaphylaxis however, seeking early medical attention if an allergic reaction occurs, and carrying emergency medication such as injectable EpiPen (adrenaline). Patients with stinging insect allergy should also see their doctors, as desensitisation is very effective for this type of problem."

" Desensitisation to bees and wasps has been available for sometime, but our group in Tasmania showed that it works for jumper ant allergy as well. While we are not in the position to be able to roll out this form of treatment across the country yet, our group is currently recruiting patients with allergic reactions to the Jack jumper ant as well as other stinging ants to study the other types of ants that cause allergies. The aim is to develop more accurate diagnostic tests and therapeutic vaccines to treat this large group of patients."

For more information, refer to the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au