Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I read the prescription?

For custom compounded vaccines, most doctors will list the allergens and the relative strength desired.  There are hundreds of potential allergens which can be prescribed at varying strengths and compounded in a variety of combinations. Allergy Canada works with physicians across Canada, assisting them in choosing what allergens to choose, in what combinations and appropriate strengths.  If you have any questions about the particular prescription, just ask us. Eg:  5 Grass 1000  would mean Standardized 5 Grass Mix (consisting of Kentucky/June, Orchard, Red Top, Timothy and Sweet Vernal species) at a strength of 1000 BAU/mL.  

Figure 1                        Figure 2

For Alum Precipitated Pre-Seasonals and Hymenoptera Venoms, a physician using the Allergy Canada prescription pad will check off the appropriate box.  If the physician uses their own prescription pad they can write these prescriptions in a variety of ways Figure 3 Alum Precipitated Pre-Seasonal: Eg:  Pollinex T / Pollinex Tree / Pollin-ex T / Pollin-ex Tree  -- because Pollinex-T is no longer available in Canada, pulled off the shelves by the Canadian government in 2000, the replacement product would be Alum Precipitated Pre-Seasonal Tree Eg:  Alumex T / Alumex Tree / Alum-ex T / Alum-ex Tree  -- this is Alum Precipitated Pre-Seasonal Tree Eg:  Centeral T / Centeral Tree / Center-Al T / Center-Al Tree  -- this is Alum Precipitated Pre-Seasonal Tree Eg:  Pollinex G / Pollinex Grass / Pollin-ex G / Pollin-ex Grass  -- because Pollinex-G is no longer available in Canada, pulled off the shelves by the Canadian government in 2000, the replacement product would be Alum Precipitated Pre-Seasonal Grass Eg:  Alumex G / Alumex Grass / Alum-ex G / Alum-ex Grass  -- this is Alum Precipitated Pre-Seasonal Grass Eg:  Centeral G / Centeral Grass / Center-Al G / Center-Al Grass  -- this is Alum Precipitated Pre-Seasonal Grass Eg:  Alumex R / Alumex Ragweed / Alum-ex R / Alum-ex Ragweed  -- this is Alum Precipitated Pre-Seasonal Ragweed Eg:  Centeral R / Centeral Ragweed / Center-Al R / Center-Al Ragweed  -- this is Alum Precipitated Pre-Seasonal Ragweed It should be noted that Allergy Canada is unable to fill any prescription for Pollinex R / Pollinex Ragweed / Pollin-ex R / Pollin-ex Ragweed.  While HealthCanada removed the Tree and Grass products from the shelves, the Ragweed product is still available in Canada. Hymenoptera Venom:  Figure 4 The physician will typically write the venom name on the prescription.  Eg: White Faced Hornet  or  White Faced Hornet 100 ug/ml. If this is a new prescription, the patient is required to go through a series of weekly injections.   Typically we send the product out in its lyophilized form and include the required diluents.  In some instances we will dilute the product for the patient.

How do I check coverage?

Most patients with private health insurance are covered through their drug plans.  You should check the DIN coverage for their plan. 

If the patient is not covered by the specific DIN, most patients have a waiver in their health plans that cover ‘Injectable Allergy Vaccine / Immunotherapy as Prescribed by a Physician’.

Patients under Ontario Provincial Programs, such as Welfare, Disability, Ontario Drug Benefits, as well as all patients over the age of 65, are covered through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.  These patients will require their prescribing physician to submit a SAA or Special Authorization (Allergen) form.

How do I order?

You can order online at www.allergycanada.com or by calling our customer service department at Tel: (905)-763-6642 or toll free 1-(888)-305-2304 Fax: (905)-763-6642 or toll free 1-(888)-305-2304

*All serum orders and renewals must be placed through your physician

What are the DIN’s?

For a custom compounded allergy vaccine the DIN is 02242716

For an alum precipitated pre-seasonal vaccine the DIN is 02242715

Honey Bee Induction/Starter   01948911

Honey Bee Maintenance         01948903

Wasp Induction/Starter 01948989

Wasp Maintenance 01948970

White Faced Hornet Induction/Starter 01949004

White Faced Hornet Maintenance 01948970

Yellow Hornet Induction/Starter 01948946

Yellow Hornet Maintenance 01948938

Yellow Jacket Induction/Starter 019489462

Yellow Jacket Maintenance 01948954

Mixed Vespid Induction/Starter 01948881

Mixed Vespid Maintenance 01948873

What are the shipping fees?

We typically charge $8 to $12 to ship next day service within Ontario and Quebec.

 Any Place further East or West of these locations: Shipping is calculated based on weight, and varies depending on location.  Please call or Allergy Canada for details.

How do I know if my strengths are accurate?

Call Allergy Canada and ask Robert

Where can I find my Lot Number?

Your Lot # can be found on the top right corner of your invoice or on the bottle of your previous order.

What is an Allergy?

An allergy is a sensitivity to a normally harmless substance, one that does not bother most people. The allergen (the foreign substance that provokes a reaction) can be a food, dust particles, a drug, insect venom, or mold spores, as well as pollen. Allergic people often have a sensitivity to more than one substance.

What if pollen allergy is not treated?

As anyone with allergies knows, allergic symptoms are annoying and, in severe cases, debilitating. As a rule, however, an allergy to pollen does not progress to serious pulmonary or other diseases. Occasionally, when pollen allergy is not treated, complications may occur. These include swelling of the nasal passages and eustachian tubes leading to the ears, which may prevent proper drainage and airflow and lead to secondary infection of the sinuses or to middle ear problems.

How is pollen allergy treated?

There are three general approaches to the treatment of pollen allergy; avoidance of the allergen, medication to relieve symptoms, and immunotherapy or injection treatments (commonly called allergy shots). Although no cure for pollen allergy has yet been found, one of these strategies or a combination of them can provide various degrees of relief from allergy symptoms.

Avoidance

Complete avoidance of allergenic pollen means moving to a place where the offending plant does not grow and where its pollen is not present in the air. But even this extreme solution may offer only temporary relief since a person who is sensitive to one specific weed, tree, or grass pollen may often develop allergies to others after repeated exposure. Thus, persons allergic to ragweed may leave their ragweed-ridden communities and relocate to areas where ragweed does not grow, only to develop allergies to other weeds or even to grasses and trees in their new surroundings. Because relocating is not a reliable solution, allergy specialists strongly discourage this approach.

There are other ways to evade the offending pollen: remaining indoors in the morning, for example, when the outdoor pollen levels are highest. Sunny, windy days can be especially troublesome. If persons with pollen allergy must work outdoors, they can wear face masks designed to filter pollen out of the air reaching their nasal passages. As another approach, some people take their vacations at the height of the expected pollinating period and choose a location where such exposure would be minimal. The seashore, for example, may be an effective retreat for many with pollen allergies.

Air conditioners and filters. Use of air conditioners inside the home or in a car can be quite helpful in reducing pollen levels. Also effective are various types of air-filtering devices made with fiberglass or electrically charged plates. These can be added to the heating and cooling systems in the home. In addition, there are portable devices that can be used in individual rooms.

An allergy specialist can suggest which kind of filter is best for the home of a particular patient. Before buying a filtering device, it is wise to rent one and use it in a closed room (the bedroom, for instance) for a month or two to see whether allergy symptoms diminish. The air flow should be sufficient to exchange the air in the room five or six times per hour; therefore, the size and efficiency of the filtering device should be determined in part by the size of the room.

Devices that may not work. Persons with allergies should be wary of exaggerated claims for appliances that cannot really clean the air. Very small air cleaners cannot remove dust and pollen - and no air purifier can prevent viral or bacterial diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, or tuberculosis. Buyers of electrostatic precipitators should compare the machine's ozone output with Federal standards. Ozone can irritate the nose and airways of persons with allergies, especially asthmatics, and can increase the allergy symptoms. Other kinds of air filters such as HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters do not release ozone into the air.
Avoiding Irritants. During periods of high pollen levels, people with pollen allergy should try to avoid unnecessary exposure to irritants such as dust, insect sprays, tobacco smoke, air pollution, and fresh tar or paint. Any of these can aggravate the symptoms of pollen allergy.

Medication. For people with seasonal allergies who find they cannot avoid pollen, the symptoms can often be controlled with medication available by prescription or over the counter.

Effective medications that can be prescribed by a physician include antihistamines, corticosteroids, and cromolyn sodium - any of which can be used alone or in combination. There are also many effective antihistamines and decongestants that are available without a prescription.

Antihistamines. As the name indicates, an antihistamine counters the effects of histamine, which, as described before, is released by the mast cells in the body's tissues and contributes to the allergy symptoms. For many years, antihistamines have proven useful in relieving sneezing and itching in the nose, throat, and eyes and in reducing nasal swelling and drainage.

But many people who take antihistamines experience some distressing side effects: drowsiness and loss of alertness and coordination. In children such reactions can be misinterpreted as behavior problems. Several new types of antihistamines that cause fewer of these side effects are now being developed and marketed.

Nasal Decongestants. Over-the-counter products containing decongestants can be helpful in relieving blocked nasal passages. These drugs constrict the blood vessels in nasal tissue, lessening swelling and mucus production. Nasal decongestants, although available as nasal sprays, may be taken orally; these include compounds such as ephedrine, phenyl-propanolamine hydrochloride, and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride. Because these drugs can raise blood pressure, increase the heart rate, and cause nervousness in some people, persons with allergies should check with their doctors before using decongestants.

People with allergic rhinitis should avoid using decongestant nasal sprays because frequent or prolonged use can lead to a "rebound phenomenon," in which the initial effect of shrinking the nasal passages is followed by increased swelling and congestion. When this occurs, a person often will use the spray in higher doses, or more frequently, in an attempt to get relief from congestion. Instead of improving nasal congestion, however, such use of nasal sprays only intensifies the problem.

Corticosteroids. Until recently, corticosteroids, although very effective in controlling allergic disorders, were not widely used for pollen allergy because their prolonged use can result in serious sided effects. Corticosteroids relieve the symptoms of pollen allergy by reducing nasal inflammation and inhibiting mucus production. Locally active steroids that penetrate the nasal membrane are now available as nasal sprays in measured-dose spray bottles. When used this way, the drug affects only the nasal passages rather than the entire body. The side effects, which are minimal when the spray is used in recommended doses, can include nasal burning and dryness and a sore throat.

Cromolyn sodium. Another effective agent that is available by prescription as a nasal solution is cromolyn sodium. Unlike antihistamines or steroids, cromolyn sodium is believed to control allergic symptoms by preventing the mast cells from releasing histamine. In clinical trials, cromolyn sodium has been proven safe and effective and, in contrast to some other allergy medications, appears to cause no drowsiness. Unlike antihistamines and decongestants, corticosteroid nasal sprays and cromolyn sodium nasal solutions must be used for several days to weeks before there is any noticeable reduction in symptoms.
Combination therapy. Sometimes antihistamines, cromolyn sodium, or nasal corticosteroids are not effective when used alone, but when prescribed in combination, these agents can often provide significant, if not total, relief from hay fever.

Immunotherapy If environmental control methods and medication prove to be inadequate to control a person's symptoms, a physician may recommend immunotherapy (commonly called allergy shots). The aim of this treatment is to increase the patient's tolerance to the particular pollen to which he or she is allergic.

Diluted extracts of the pollen are injected under the patient's skin. The patient receives small doses once or twice a week, working up to larger doses that are given less often. The size of the largest dose depends on the patient's tolerance and the treatment's effect on the patient's allergy symptoms. Since it takes time to build up tolerance, prolonged treatment may be needed before the patient's symptoms are relieved.

Immunotherapy is not without problems. It can be expensive, and may require months before improvement is apparent. Further, it does not work well for some people and, if the size of the dose or frequency of shots is not carefully monitored, the injections can cause allergic reactions. These reactions can be quite mild - redness and swelling at the site of the injection - or potentially serious systemic reactions such as hives, generalized swelling, or shock. Immunotherapy is therefore only one part of a physician's overall treatment plan for an allergic patient.

What is pollen allergy?

The signs and symptoms of pollen allergy are familiar to many:

• Sneezing, the most common, may be accompanied by a runny or clogged nose
• Itching eyes, nose, and throat
• Allergic shiners (dark circles under the eyes caused by restricted blood flow near the sinuses)
• The "allergic salute" (in a child, persistent upward rubbing of the nose that causes a crease mark on the nose)
• Watering eyes
• Conjunctivitis (an inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelids, causing red-rimmed eyes).

In people who are not allergic to pollen, the mucus in the nasal passages simply moves these foreign particles to the throat, where they are swallowed or coughed out. But something different happens to a pollen-sensitive person. As soon as the allergy-causing pollen lands on the mucous membranes of the nose, a chain reaction occurs that leads the mast cells in these tissues to release histamine. This powerful chemical dilates the many small blood vessels in the nose. Fluids escape through these expanded vessel walls, which causes the nasal passages to swell and results in nasal congestion. Histamine can also cause itching, irritation, and excess mucus production. Other chemicals, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes, also contribute to allergic symptoms. Some people with pollen allergy develop asthma, a serious respiratory condition. While asthma may recur each year during pollen season, it can eventually become chronic. The symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath due to a narrowing of the bronchial passages, and excess mucus production. Asthma can be disabling and can sometimes be fatal. If wheezing an shortness of breath accompany the hay fever symptoms, it is a signal that the bronchial tubes also have become, involved indicating the need for medical attention.

What is Pollen?

Plants produce the microscopic round or oval grains called pollen in order to reproduce. In some species, the plant uses the pollen from its own flowers to fertilize itself. Other types must be cross-pollinated; that is, in order for fertilization to take place and seeds to form, pollen must be transferred from the flower of one plant to that of another plant of the same species. Insects do this job for certain flowering plants, while other plants rely on wind transport. The types of pollen that most commonly cause allergic reactions are produced by the plain-looking plants (trees, grasses, and weeds) that do not have showy flowers. These plants manufacture small, light, dry pollen granules that are custom-made for wind transport; for example, samples of ragweed pollen have been collected 400 miles out at sea and 2 miles high in the air. Because airborne pollen is carried for long distances, it does little good to rid an area of an offending plant - the pollen can drift in from many miles away. In addition, most allergenic (allergy-producing) pollen comes from plants that produce it in huge quantities - a single ragweed plant can generate a million grains of pollen a day. The chemical makeup of pollen is the basic factor that determines whether a particular type is likely to cause hay fever. For example, pine tree pollen is produced in large amounts by a common tree, which would make it a good candidate for causing an allergy. However, the chemical composition of pine pollen appears to make it less allergenic than other types. Moreover, because pine pollen tends to fall straight down and is not widely scattered, it rarely reaches human noses. Among North American plants, weeds are the most prolific producers of allergenic pollen. Ragweed is the major culprit, but others of importance are sagebrush, redroot pigweed, lamb's quarters, Russian thistle (tumbleweed), and English plantain. Grasses and trees, too, are important sources of allergenic pollens. Although there are more than 1,000 species of grass in North America, only a few produce highly allergenic pollen. These include timothy grass, Kentucky bluegrass, Johnson grass, Bermuda grass, redtop grass, orchard grass, and sweet vernal grass. Trees that produce allergenic pollen include oak, ash, elm, hickory, pecan, box elder, and mountain cedar. It is common to hear people say that they are allergic to colorful or scented flowers like roses. In fact, only florists, gardeners, and others who have close contact with flowers are likely to become sensitized to pollen from these plants. Most people have little contact with the large, heavy, waxy pollen grains of many flowering plants because this type of pollen is not carried by wind but by insects such as butterflies and bees.

What is an allergic reaction?

Normally, the immune system functions as the body's defense against invading agents (bacteria and viruses, for instance). In most allergic reactions, however, the immune system is responding to a false alarm. When allergic persons first come into contact with an allergen, their immune systems treat the allergen as an invader and mobilize to attack. The immune system does this by generating large amounts of a type of antibody (a protein) called immunoglobulin E, or IgE. (Only small amounts of IgE are produced in nonallergic people.) Each IgE antibody is specific for one particular allergen. In the case of pollen allergy, the antibody is specific for each type of pollen: one antibody may be produced to react against oak pollen and another against ragweed pollen, for example. These IgE molecules attach themselves to the body's mast cells, which are tissue cells, and to basophils, which are cells in the blood. When the enemy allergen next encounters the IgE, the allergen attaches to the antibody like a key fitting into a lock, signalling the cell to which the IgE is attached to release (and in some cases to produce) powerful inflammatory chemicals like histamines, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and others. The effects of these chemicals on various parts of the body cause the symptoms of allergy.

Why are some people allergic to these substances while others are not?

Scientists think that people inherit a tendency to be allergic, although not to any specific allergen. Children of allergic parents are much more likely to develop allergies than other children. Even if only one parent has allergies, a child has a one in four chance of being allergic. Another factor in the development of allergies seems to be exposure to allergens at certain times when the body's defenses are lowered or weakened such as after a viral infection, during puberty, or during pregnancy. (However, some women find that during pregnancy their hay fever symptoms diminish.)

How much will my allergy shots cost?

Each order is individually priced according to the antigens being used.  To inquire about the cost of your specific allergy shot please send to info@allergycanada.com with your doctor's prescription and we will be able to provide you with a cost analysis within 24 hours.

Are people allergic to dust mites?

No, individuals are not allergic to the dust mite itself but rather to their waste particles and fragments of dead dust mite bodies. Dust mites produce waste particles and it is the fecal particle which is one of the main substances in house dust to which allergic people react. Each mite produces about 20 of these waste particles every day, and more than 100,000 of them may be present in only a gram of dust. These particles continue to cause allergic symptoms even after the mite who produced them has died.

What are dust mites?

Dust mites are eight-legged arachnids, relatives of a spider. They are microscopic and cannot be seen by the human eye. An adult mite is approximately 300 microns (3/10 mm) in length, having developed over approximately 25 days through egg, larval and nymph stages. Adults live for two to three months, during which time the female mite can lay 25 to 50 eggs every three weeks.

Where do dust mites live?

Dust mites are present in nearly all homes in areas where the relative humidity is greater than 50% for some portion of the year. The photophobic mites thrive in a dark, warm, and humid environment found in pillows, mattresses, box springs, blankets, carpets, and upholstered furniture. Literally millions of mites can inhabit a single bed as it provides both a perfect condition for growth and their greatest food source; the shed scales from human skin

Why is it so important to avoid dust in the bedroom?

The bedroom provides the greatest source of dust mite allergen in the home. Emphasis is placed on decreasing allergen exposure in the bedroom as it is the room where individuals spend a large percent of their time each day and where they are most likely to come in close proximity to the offending dust mite allergens.

Can vacuuming my mattress eliminate the dust mites?

No. Vacuuming the mattress may reduce some surface allergen; however, no amount of vacuuming can significantly reduce the number of mites in your bedding.

How can I protect myself from dust mite allergen?

Scientific studies have shown that taking steps to minimize dust mite allergen exposure in the bedroom leads to a decrease in allergic symptoms and a decrease in medication requirements for the dust-allergic patients. Studies have also demonstrated the effectiveness the mattress, pillows, and box spring in zippered allergen-impermeable encasings. Covering this bedding in dust mite proof encasings is therefore considered one of the primary steps in reducing dust mite exposure. Other bedding, which cannot be encased, should be treated with a laundry additive such as ACARIL or Allersearch Allergen Wash.

Do I need to encase every pillow on my bed?

Yes. Dust mite allergen becomes airborne when there is movement in the bed. Allergen particles can be inhaled by an allergic individual causing a reaction, even when one's head is not resting on the pillow. Therefore, all pillows on the bed should be encased to decrease exposure to airborne dust mites.

Do I need to replace my pillow?

Not unless you choose to. Encasing your new or existing pillow with an dust mite proof pillow encasing will provide full protection against the offending allergens.

Is it necessary to use an allergen encasing on a new pillow or mattress?

Yes. Dust mite allergens quickly accumulate in any fibrous material. This also includes any bedding item classified as hypoallergenic. Within several weeks, new pillows and bedding materials will accumulate dust mites. Therefore, all new pillows and mattresses should be encased in a dust mite proof encasing.

Do I need to cover other beds in the bedroom of the allergic individual?

Yes. As with the pillow, dust mite allergens becomes airborne when there is movement in the bed. Allergen particles can easily become airborne from any mattress in the room making it necessary to encase additional beds in an allergic individual's bedroom.

Why do I need to cover my box spring?

Research has determined there is a large accumulation of dust mite allergen in the box spring. Movement in the bed causes allergen particles from the box spring to become airborne. In addition to covering your pillows and mattress, it is important to encase the box spring to decrease allergen exposure.

Can I use my mattress pad if I encase my mattress?

Yes. However if you put your mattress pad outside of your encasing, it needs to be washed every week with a laundry additive such as Acaril or Allersearch Allergen Wash because it may harbor dust mites. It is easier to place your mattress pad inside the encasing. This way, you will not need to wash your mattress pad on a regular basis.

Do waterbeds need to be covered?

Most current waterbeds have pads or a fabric cover which harbor dust mite growth. Any waterbed with fabric tufting or padding should be covered with an allergen impermeable encasing. All soft sided or Somma Type waterbeds need to be covered in allergen impermeable encasings for protection against allergens.

Can I use my existing sheets, comforter, blanket, etc?

Yes, you may but bed linens, blankets and any bedding that is not encased in a zippered allergen-impermeable cover must treated according with a laundry additive such as Acaril or Allersearch Allergen Wash. Depending on how sever the allergy is, it may be recommended to treat clothing and other fabrics in the home.

How frequently do I have to wash bedding that is not encased?

It is recommended by the National Institutes of Health that all bedding not encased in allergen barriers be washed in hot water (130 F) weekly.

Do I have to wash my bedding in 130-degree water temperatures?

The National Institutes of Health have recommended washing bedding in water of 130 degrees Fahrenheit weekly. However, specially developed laundry detergents such as Acaril or Allersearch Allergen Wash may be used on bedding, clothing, and other washable items to remove allergens in all water temperatures. Using an additive is the only way to kill dust mites.

How often do I need to wash the Dust Mite Proof Encasings?

The Dust Mite Proof encasings only need to be washed once a year according to the washing instructions. It is recommended to wash the pillow encasing every 3-4 months only because your head is on it directly.