Health Concerns

Egg Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Egg Allergy [internet]. 2020 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

This dietary guide provides information on egg allergies and the importance to read and understand food labels to be able to choose appropriate foods. It is important to be aware that egg is used as a binder or thickener in many prepared foods such as cakes and breads.

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Shellfish Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Shellfish Allergy [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Common types of shellfish that should be avoided include: abalone, Balmain bugs, etc. Food purchased from fish and chip shops may be cooked in oil contaminated by shellfish.

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Sesame Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Sesame Allergy [internet]. 2021 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Sesame is often a less obvious ingredient. Restaurants serving Asian, Turkish, Middle Easter and vegetarian foods are higher risk due to cross contamination with other dishes served in the restaurant. Some foods containing sesame that should be avoided if one has a sesame allergy are hummus, benne, gingelly seeds and tahini.

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Coconut Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Coconut Allergy [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Allergic reactions to eating coconut are relatively rare, whilst contact allergic dermatitis to coconut products is more common. Few cases of allergic reactions from eating coconut products have been reported, including one case of severe stomach upset in a baby fed infant formula containing coconut.

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Food Allergen Challenges FAQs

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Food Allergen Challenges FAQs [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Food allergen challenges are procedures where food is fed to a patient in a medical clinic. The patient is monitored to confirm if the food being tested causes an allergic reaction. This page discusses what happens if no reaction occurs, if a reaction does occur, who can perform supervised food allergen challenges and why are they performed.

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Peanut, Tree Nut and Seed Allergy

[cited Feb 2026]

This document provides information on peanut, tree nut and seed allergies. Including food proteins triggering food allergies, the difference between food terms where legumes are often used to describe peanuts, peas, chickpeas, and soy. It describes cross reactivity, where a similar protein is present in a range of different foods.

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This fact sheet is for toddlers and children with constipation and does not apply for babies. It provides information on understanding constipation, it becomes a problem when it becomes painful to pass a stool, and what causes constipation. The best way to treat constipation is with medication and behavioural techniques.

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This fact sheet provides information on reflux for babies and younger children. Reflux happens when the muscle in the lower part of the oesophagus relaxes. Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when reflux results in troublesome symptoms and/or complications. Babies younger than three months who cry a lot and cannot be easily comforted are said to have “colic”.

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This fact sheet provides information on the importance of iron and symptoms of children who do not eat enough iron-containing foods. If iron stores have fallen too low this can be iron deficiency anemia. This document includes the best sources of iron and how vitamin c and calcium impacts iron absorption.

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