Appointments and fees

At the Cape Town Allergy Clinic we offer comprehensive allergy testing diagnosis and treatment for all forms of allergy.

Appointments

  • The average consultation is 30 to 40 minutes long, but come a few minutes earlier to complete your allergy questionnaire.
  • Don’t take any antihistamine medication for 2 to 3 days before your testing, but continue any other regular medication and inhalers.
  • We see all ages from children through to the elderly. Infants can be accurately allergy tested if over 4 months of age.
  • A referral letter from your GP may be helpful but not essential.
  • We do not pass your personal information to anyone without your permission.

Your initial allergy consultation

  • The consultation includes an allergy, personal medical and social history discussion.
  • You will have a physical examination plus lung capacity testing. 
  • We initially undertake skin prick tests using a selection of test allergens tailored to your allergy symptoms.  These tests are individualised to your specific clinical presentation. 
  • These test results are then made available to you at the initial consultation.
  • You will be issued an allergy treatment plan to deal with your allergy and this usually includes avoidance measures, symptom treatment as well as preventer and reliever medication.
  • Sometimes we need to perform blood or RAST allergy tests as well and we use Pathcare, a Medical Aid accredited private Pathology Laboratory to undertake these tests on your blood sample.
  • You don’t usually need a follow up consultation, but if there isn’t a good response to treatment, we would recommend a follow up consultation after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment.

Skin test procedure

  • We normally perform Skin Prick Testing at the initial consultation using extracts of the suspected allergens.
  • Then tests are done at the consultation and are included in the R750 consultation fee and the test costs should be reclaimable from your Medical Aid Society.
  • Skin Prick Tests are done by applying a drop of specific allergen to the skin of the forearm. The skin is then gently pricked with a sterile lancet allowing some allergen to penetrate the skin.
  • The skin reaction is evaluated after 10 to 15 minutes and a positive test result is  indicated by a weal reaction of betweent 3 to 10mm in diameter.
  • We have over 30 test allergens and mixes to choose from, and these are tailored to your symptoms. About 10 to 15 specific allergens or mixes are tested during each consultation.
  • A positive histamine test is also use as a quality control test.
  • These tests are very safe and do not result in any adverse reaction or side-effect. With children, we encourage another adult to be present to help entertain then during the testing. These tests are well tolerated even by infants.
  • If you suspect a rare or exotic foodstuff as a cause for your allergy, then please bring a small amount of the fresh product with you to the consultation.

Fees

Initial consultation R750

  • The all-inclusive fee for your initial consultation is R750.
  • This includes the discussion, physical examination, lung capacity tests, allergy skin tests and treatment plan.

Follow-up Consultation R600

  • Follow up consultations will be charged at R600 and last half an hour.
  • This includes any other skin allergen testing. But if further blood tests are needed these will be invoiced separately by the Pathcare Pathology Laboratory.

Payment terms: Important so please read carefully.

  • We are able to accept credit and debit cards as well as cash or personal cheques. We offer a 10% discount for cash or cheque payments.
  • Your consultation fee must be settled in full at the time of your consultation.
  • We do not deal directly with any Medical Aid Societies. You will therefore need to settle your account on the day and use your receipted bill to claim reimbursement from your medical aid.

Allergy Clinic times with Dr Morris

303 Library Square, Wilderness Rd, Claremont
(opposite Kingsbury Hospital and Claremont Library)
Telephone Farieda on 021 674 3637 for all appointments, or fax 021 683 6119

  • Tuesday morning
  • Wednesday afternoon
  • Thursday morning

For any specific queries regarding the allergy consultation, please e-mail us at allergy-enquiries@allergyclinic.co.za