Allergy (children)
Our paediatric allergy teams are holistic, comprising of doctors, nurses and dietitians. We run a comprehensive allergy clinic, covering the full range of allergies and related conditions such as:
- Food allergies
- Hay fever
- Allergies to year round allergens such as house dust mites and animals
- Drug allergy
- Anaphylaxis
- Chronic Urticaria and Angioedema
- Allergies to bee and wasp stings
- Allergic asthma
- Eczema
- Mast cell disorders
We see children birth up to 18 years and offer a “one stop shop” clinic appointment with access to testing and dietetics. We focus on early prevention of allergies and attempt to work on safe food re-introductions following the most up to date evidence, whilst focussing on the child as whole.
More about us
The paediatric allergy team provide a range of services including:
- Blood tests – specific IgE and component tests
- Skin prick testing
- Food exclusions and re-introduction led by our dietitian
We work closely with the other specialities in the hospital such as dermatology, who run a children's skin service, ophthalmology, ENT, gastroenterology and respiratory and offer joint clinics or joint reviews as appropriate.
If you child reaches adolescence with us, we run a monthly adolescent clinic aimed at supporting the young person and family in their next phase. If ended, we refer on to the adult allergy unit at the Eden Unit in Derriford.
Where to find us
Depending on your appointment, you may be seen at one of our main hospital sites, at a community hospital, or in a specific community setting. Some specialties and treatment options are based solely at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford), such as radiotherapy and some types of surgery.
Eastern services
RD&E Wonford, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW.
- Childrens Outpatient Department, Level 1, Area J.
- Bramble Childrens Ward, Level 1, Area H.
- Exeter Neonatal Unit, Centre for Women's Health, Level 2.
Northern services
North Devon District Hospital, Raleigh Park, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4JB.
- Children's Outpatient Department: Level 2
- Caroline Thorpe Ward: Ladywell Unit, Level 2
- Special Care Unit, Caroline Thorpe Ward, LadywellUnit, Level 2
Meet the team
East
Consultants
- Dr Siân Ludman
- Dr Rebecca Franklin
- Dr Emily Chesshyre
Allergy/Respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Mich Curtis
- Abbie Rickards
Paediatric Allergy Dietitian
- Lorna Pring
The clinics we run are:
- General allergy clinics twice a week
- Weekly supervised feed and oral food challenge on Bramble Day Care Unit
- Monthly specialist clinics for drug allergy and difficult to manage urticaria
- Alternate monthly specialist clinics with paediatric dermatology and paediatric gastroenterology
- Two paediatric allergy dietitian clinics a week
- Two clinical nurse specialist clinics a week
You can also see a list of our allergy clinics on the BSACI website: www.bsaci.org/allergy-clinic/royal-devon-and-exeter-nhs-foundation-trust.
Treatments and services
We may institute a range of therapies, including skin, nasal and eye treatments, as well as inhalers or adrenaline pens if needed. We give comprehensive education, training and support around your child and family to ensure the best outcomes, and liaise closely with schools and nurseries as needed. We provide written emergency plans and a comprehensive list of supportive websites or groups to continue to aid your family.
If your child is ever admitted to hospital, our team will aim to meet you on the ward to review your allergic conditions if appropriate.
We offer a range of treatments such as:
- Food challenges and supervised feeds to introduce food back in to the diet, prove a food allergy and show that a food allergy has been outgrown
- Drug challenges to oral medication and local anaesthetics
- Oral immunotherapy for air borne allergies
- Immunotherapy for bee and wasp allergies
- Biological therapies for chronic urticaria
Paediatric allergy challenge
Parents or carers of children who have been invited to a paediatric allergy challenge appointment.
Please go to the section here.
Information for healthcare professionals
Referral criteria are all on the North & East Devon Formulary on the paediatric pages and are disease specific.
For information about schools keeping spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) for emergency use, visit the 'Spare Pens in Schools' page on the Allergy UK website.
Supporting you
Adolescent Allergy Psychology group session
If you are feeling down, stressed or anxious about anything, there are a number of websites and apps that can provide information, advice, and support.
Devon SEND Local Offer
What is the SEND Local Offer?
Devon’s SEND Local Offer is the education, health and social care services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from birth to 25.
Patient information leaflets
We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.
We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.
Useful videos
We have a wide range of videos which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.