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Specialist Clinics

Allergen desensitisation

  • Introduction

    This guideline relates to allergen desensitisation in paediatric patients. For more information please visit: Allergy and Immunology:Allergy and Immunology

    When to refer

    • Patients 0-16 years
    • Refer to allergy specialist for assessment regarding suitability of specific immunotherapy for:
      • Patients with severe seasonal rhinitis or chronic allergic rhinitis where symptoms are not controlled with optimal medical management over the season or for the last six months
      • Severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to honey bee, wasp or Jack jumper ant

    Wait time for appointments 

    Specialist Clinic wait times 

    Services available closer to home

    Alternative paediatric allergy services available in Victoria include:

    • Public paediatric allergy services:
      • The Northern Hospital
      • Sunshine Hospital
      • Monash Children’s Hospital
    • Consider referral to a private allergist as an alternative to RCH. Options available on ASCIA website: Locate a specialist

    Referral criteria/required information

    Specific immunotherapy is not recommended for all children. Pre-referral management includes:

    • Preventative topical steroid
    • Allergen avoidance
    • Saline nasal spray
    • Antihistamines

    Suggestions about managing immunotherapy in the community:

    • Do not perform induction or unscheduled up dosing of immunotherapy in doctor’s rooms. This should be performed in a specialist centre
    • Maintenance therapy may be provided at doctor’s rooms, provided resuscitation equipment is available
    • Asthma management must be optimised in patients receiving immunotherapy
    • See the National Asthma Council Managing Asthma resources

    Referral criteria/required information

    Please include all pre-referral management already tried including:

    • Dose
    • Length of time used
    • Side effects

    How to refer 

    Specialist Clinics referral

    Please complete the above and submit via:

    • Facsimile (03) 9345 5034 or
    • Email screferrals@rch.org.au
    • Urgent referral or clinical query call ED or Registrar on-call (03) 9345 5522

    Information for families

    Resources and links

    • Department of Allergy and Immunology
    • Clinical Services Directory Allergy and Immunology
    • Paediatric Handbook (2009) Eighth Edition, Blackwell Publishing. By the staff of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

    Acknowledgements

    The development of this guideline was coordinated by the Department of Allergy and Immunology (Dr Jo Smart and Dr Paulina Alhucema). Guideline reviewed in February 2025.