Allergy Clinic

The Allergy Clinic is a referral-based clinic for the diagnosis and management of children with complex allergic diseases including: 

• multiple drug allergies 
• latex allergy 
• anaphylaxis 
• food challenges 
• urticaria (chronic, idiopathic, cold/heat induced etc.) 
• mastocytosis 

Patients with complex medical conditions followed at SickKids who require an allergy assessment are also evaluated. Patients with routine allergies are referred to designated allergists in the community. 

Our allergy team consists of three full-time staff, part-time paediatric allergists, one full-time Registered Nurse Specialist, and one part-time dietitian. The clinic is located on the main floor, Clinic 9 and is held on Tuesdays. The Allergy Clinic is part of the Division of Immunology and Allergy.

Allergy Team

• Dr. Adelle Atkinson
• Dr. Julia Upton 
• Dr. Vy Kim
• Dr. Carmen Riggioni
• Dr. David Hummel
  
• Dr. Maria Asper
• Dr. Audrey Segal
• Dr. Lucy Duan
• Maricelle Tia, RN
• Alana Galper, RD

FIT Clinic (Food immunotherapy clinic/fellows in training clinic)

• Dr. Julia Upton
• Dr. Vy Kim
• Maricelle Tia, RN, BScN

Information for referring physicians

Patients should be referred to the Allergy Clinic regarding the COVID-19 vaccine if:

• The patient has had a significant allergic reaction to the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or
• The patient has a proven allergy to one of the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccine

Please review the Canadian Immunization Guide for up-to-date information regarding ingredients, current precautions and contraindications to receiving the vaccine.

If your patient has general questions about the COVID-19 vaccine or significant needle phobia, you can direct them to the COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service or AboutKidsHealth for answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19.

What to bring: 

• Toys, books, nut-free snacks, diapers and formula to keep your child comfortable and occupied in case there is a wait.  Food is not allowed in the Allergy Clinic waiting room M120 or in our patient rooms but can be consumed in the main Clinic 9 waiting area.
• Any medical information, such as referral letters, Immunocap test results, other blood test results done in the community, recent skin tests results, consult letters from other specialists related to the allergy concern.
  
• Your child’s immunization record.
• Health cards for other family members, including parents and siblings.

 Directions: 

The first thing to do is register at the Allergy registration desk in Clinic 9. The waiting and registration area is in the Burton Wing of the hospital. The Allergy clinic is in Room M120, off to the left of the main Clinic 9 waiting and registration area. 

From the University Avenue entrance, turn right down the first hallway (opposite direction of Shoppers Drug Mart) and then turn down the first hallway on your left. We are the first clinic you will find on the right-hand side of this hallway. 

From the Atrium and parking garage elevators, walk down Main Street towards Shoppers Drug Mart. At the Family Resource Centre, turn left. At the end of this hallway you will find our registration and waiting area. 

Appointments generally last from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the reason for the appointment, and while we try to be on time sometimes there is a wait. 

On arrival in the clinic you will register your child at the desk. Even if you have already registered at another clinic, you need to check-in at the desk. If your child has or is suspected to have severe combined immune deficiency please tell the clerk and we will find a clinic room for your child to wait in. Do not sit in the public waiting room. 

The clinic nurse will assess your child, which includes weight, height, temperature, pulse respirations and blood pressure reading. The nurse will also ask you questions about your child’s health including allergies and medications. A physician training to be an allergist will then see your child and complete a full health history and physical examination. The trainee will then discuss your child with the staff physician for the clinic. The trainee and other members of the team will then meet with you to discuss a plan of care.  

Each member plays an important role in the patient/family assessment, education and support. We may suggest that your child be referred to other clinics for assessments. You will be given contact information for the clinic at the end of the visit and are welcome to call with any questions that arise after the visit. 

We suggest that your write down your questions both pre- and post-clinic, so that we may address them.