Hollistic Allergy Care for Children and Adults
- Holistic allergy assessments for complete risk evaluation
- Skin prick testing for babies to adults
- Specialist networks for complex care coordination
- Immunotherapy desensitization for environmental allergens
- Comprehensive eczema assessment and ongoing management
Reading Every Food Label But Still
Worried About Reactions?
Find Peace of Mind
with Expert Care
Struggling with your child’s unexplained rashes, food reactions, or constant sneezing? We understand the worry and sleepless nights. Our comprehensive allergy assessments and expert testing identify the root causes, providing clear answers and personalised management plans. You’ll leave feeling confident and equipped with practical solutions to keep your family safe and healthy.
Food
Allergy
Comprehensive testing and management for safe, confident eating daily.
Environmental
Allergies
Relief from hayfever, pollen, and dust mite sensitivities year-round.
Eczema
Effective treatments for clearer, healthier, more comfortable skin today.
Asthma
Expert asthma management for clearer breathing every day.
Urticaria
Professional treatment for chronic hives and persistent itching relief.
Immunotherapy
Long-term desensitisation reducing environmental allergy symptoms permanently.
Why
Choose Us
Expert care from a specialist GP allergist with comprehensive assessments, established specialist networks, and tailored solutions for your family’s unique allergy needs.
Complete Risk Assessment
Holistic allergy evaluations examining your entire health profile for comprehensive care.
All-Age Testing Available
Safe, accurate skin prick testing for babies, children, and adults alike.
Specialist Network Access
Direct links to immunologists and dermatologists for complex care coordination.
Immunotherapy Treatment
Desensitisation programmes to reduce your sensitivity to environmental allergens permanently.
Expert Eczema Care
Professional assessment and ongoing management for clearer, healthier skin outcomes.
Skin Prick Testing
Quick, safe allergy testing suitable for babies, children, and adults. Our comprehensive skin prick tests identify specific allergens causing your symptoms, providing clear answers to guide your treatment plan and help you avoid problematic triggers with confidence.
Our Process
Booking & Preparation
Book your initial consultation and prepare by avoiding antihistamines for one week prior to testing. Please inform our team of any medications you’re taking, particularly beta-blockers or tricyclic antidepressants, as these may affect test results.
Initial Consultation
Dr. Susarla will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your medical history and symptoms. We’ll discuss your concerns, review previous treatments, and determine the most appropriate testing approach for your individual needs.
Skin Prick Testing
Safe, accurate testing suitable for all ages, including babies. We test for multiple allergens including foods and environmental triggers to identify specific causes of your allergic reactions and provide clear answers.
Results and Management Plan
Based on your test results, we’ll create a personalised management plan. This may include avoidance strategies, treatment options, or referral to our specialist network for complex cases requiring additional care.
Ongoing Support
We provide continued support through follow-up appointments to monitor your progress, adjust treatments as needed, and ensure you feel confident managing your or your child’s allergies long-term.
Meet Dr. Susarla
Dr Malavika Susarla is an Australian-trained Consultant General Practitioner with specialised expertise in paediatric and adult allergy medicine. With a background in ENT and five years of postgraduate allergy training, she brings comprehensive knowledge to complex allergy cases.
Dr Susarla holds a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery from James Cook University, Queensland, and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). She is also a member of ASCIA and EACCI, reflecting her commitment to staying current with international allergy research and best practices.
Southern Allergy represents the culmination of Dr Susarla’s professional expertise combined with her personal understanding of navigating childhood allergies and eczema. This unique perspective enables her to provide compassionate, comprehensive care that addresses both the medical and emotional aspects of allergy management for families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is allergic testing, and why is it important?
Allergic testing is a diagnostic procedure that identifies specific substances (allergens) triggering your immune system responses. The most common method is skin prick testing, where small amounts of allergen extracts are applied to your skin to observe reactions. Testing is crucial because it provides accurate identification of triggers, enables targeted avoidance strategies, helps develop personalised management plans, and distinguishes true allergies from intolerances. Proper diagnosis through testing ensures you receive appropriate treatment and can prevent potentially serious allergic reactions whilst avoiding unnecessary dietary restrictions.
Are allergic tests painful or uncomfortable?
Skin prick testing involves minimal discomfort, similar to a light scratch or mosquito bite. The procedure uses tiny lancets that barely penetrate the skin’s surface, causing only mild, temporary sensations. Most patients, including young children, tolerate testing very well. Any itching or redness at test sites typically resolves within 30-60 minutes. The brief, minor discomfort is far outweighed by the valuable information gained. Our experienced team uses gentle techniques and creates a comfortable environment to minimise any anxiety, particularly for children.
What types of allergic tests are available?
At Southern Allergy, we primarily use skin prick testing, the gold standard for diagnosing environmental and food allergies. This test can identify reactions to pollen, dust mites, pet dander, moulds, foods, and other common allergens. We can test multiple allergens simultaneously (typically 20-30 in one session). For complex cases, we may recommend blood tests (specific IgE testing) or refer for patch testing (for contact dermatitis) or supervised food challenges. Dr Susarla will determine the most appropriate testing method based on your symptoms, medical history, and specific concerns.
How long does it take to receive allergic test results?
Skin prick test results are available immediately—within 15-20 minutes of the test being performed. Dr Susarla reads and interprets the results during your appointment, allowing for immediate discussion of findings and treatment planning. This means you’ll leave your consultation with clear answers about your allergies and a comprehensive management plan. For blood tests (if required), results typically take 3-7 days, and we’ll contact you to discuss findings and next steps once available.
How can I prepare for an allergic test?
Preparation is essential for accurate results. Stop taking antihistamines 1 week before your appointment (including Claratyne, Zyrtec, Telfast, and nasal antihistamine sprays). Tricyclic antidepressants should be stopped 2 weeks prior. However, continue all essential medications including asthma inhalers, eczema treatments, and blood pressure or heart medications. Bring your Medicare card, GP referral letter, list of current medications, and any previous test results. Avoid applying lotions or creams to your forearms on the day of testing. If unsure about any medications, contact our clinic beforehand for guidance.
Do insurance plans cover the cost of allergic testing?
Medicare rebates are available for allergy consultations and testing when you have a valid GP referral. The rebate significantly reduces your out-of-pocket costs. Private health insurance may provide additional coverage depending on your level of cover—we recommend checking with your insurer beforehand. Our initial consultation with skin prick testing is $300, with a Medicare rebate applicable. Please bring your Medicare card and private health insurance details to your appointment. Our reception team can provide specific rebate information and help process claims on-site for eligible patients.
What medications I should avoid prior to allergy testing?
You must stop antihistamines 1 week before testing, including over-the-counter medications like Claratyne (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), Telfast (fexofenadine), and Phenergan (promethazine). Nasal antihistamine sprays should also be stopped 1 week prior. Tricyclic antidepressants require 2 weeks’ cessation. However, never stop taking essential medications without consulting your doctor first—continue all asthma inhalers, eczema treatments, corticosteroid nasal sprays, blood pressure medications, and heart medications. If you’re taking beta-blockers, please inform us as special precautions may be needed. When in doubt, contact our clinic for specific guidance about your medications.
Will you treat my allergy?
Yes, Dr Susarla provides comprehensive allergy management, not just diagnosis. After identifying your specific allergens, you’ll receive a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs. This may include allergen avoidance strategies, medication prescriptions (antihistamines, nasal sprays, inhalers), emergency action plans with EpiPen training if needed, immunotherapy for environmental allergies, eczema management protocols, and asthma control plans. We provide ongoing support through follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and adjust treatments as needed. For complex cases requiring additional specialist care, we have established networks with immunologists and dermatologists to ensure comprehensive management.
How much does allergy testing cost?
Our fee structure is transparent and competitive:
- Initial consultation with skin prick testing: $300 (Medicare rebates apply with valid GP referral)
- Initial consultation without testing: $250
- Follow-up review with testing: $200
- Paediatric eczema review: $100
Medicare rebates significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients with GP referrals. Private health insurance may provide additional coverage depending on your policy. We accept cash, EFTPOS, and credit cards, with payment due on the day of consultation. Payment plans may be available—please discuss options with our reception team. We process Medicare rebates on-site for your convenience.