Seeing a general practitioner (GP)
If you think you have signs and symptoms that might be caused by an allergy, make an appointment to see your general practitioner (GP).
Sometimes your signs and symptoms may be due to other conditions, so it is important to talk about this with your GP.
If you are having signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, call an ambulance on triple zero (000) immediately.
Talking about symptoms
Try to give the GP as much information as you can. Before the appointment, write down important things that you want to tell or ask the GP.
The doctor will need to know:
- If you have had these symptoms before.
- What symptoms you have.
- When the symptoms happened.
- What you were doing when they happened.
- How long they lasted.
- What you did to manage them.
The doctor may also ask you about things, such as:
- Past illnesses
- Family history of allergic conditions, such as allergies, asthma or hay fever
- Your lifestyle.
It can be helpful to take photos of a suspected allergic reaction so you can show them to your doctor or allergy specialist.
The doctor may examine you. This means they may look at your body, listen to your heart and lungs, look in your ears, nose, eyes and mouth, and look at your skin.
Sometimes the doctor may ask you to have a test.
Next steps
For some people, your GP can give you a diagnosis and manage your on-going care.
For other people, your GP will refer you to a specialist.
Getting a referral to an allergy specialist:
A referral is when one health professional asks another to see you to review your health condition or provide an opinion about managing your health condition. This can be done with a written referral letter or an electronic referral.
The referral may be to a:
- A specialist such as a dermatology or respiratory specialist.
- Private allergy specialist
- Public allergy/immunology service
Diagnosis after attending the Emergency Department (ED)
The first time that some people talk with a doctor about their allergy signs and symptoms is because they have had a severe allergic reaction and had to go to a hospital ED.
In the ED you will be treated for the allergic reaction, but you may not get all the answers to the questions you may have. The hospital staff may or may not be able to give you a diagnosis but they should give you a clear plan on allergy care before you leave the hospital.
Before you leave the ED:
- Staff should discuss a plan of care with you, including what you need to avoid, emergency medications and ASCIA action plans if needed.
- You should be advised on who you should see for further care. Sometimes a hospital will arrange for you to see allergy health professionals at the hospital, or they may advise you to see your GP for a referral to a specialist.
Read more about care you should expect if you experience anaphylaxis page for more information.
Understanding allergy care
Learn about allergy care, seeing an allergy specialist, the Australian health system, treatment options and more.
Developed as part of the Shared Care for Allergy Project, in collaboration with the National Allergy Council through funding from the Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care.
