Bulk Billing Update – Supporting Local Bondi Families
Due to overwhelming demand and our commitment to serving the local community. From 1 July 2025, Ocean Medical Practice will be bulk billing all children (under 16) Monday to Friday between 10:00am and 2:45pm. Outside these hours, Private Billing applies. This change ensures we can continue providing high-quality care to young families in Bondi, whilst ensuring we can continue to service all members of the local community.
We thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.
Weekly Health Updates: This week, our Bondi GPs & Bondi doctors team discuss the Link Between Childhood Allergies, Asthma, and Eczema
Your local GP and Bondi Medical Centre – Supporting Bondi families
Childhood allergies, asthma, and eczema often go hand in hand. This trio is part of what doctors call the “atopic triad”, meaning these conditions commonly occur together due to a shared immune system sensitivity. At Ocean Medical – Bondi’s local medical centre on Bondi Road, we’re here to help Bondi families understand these connections and provide tailored care for your child.
How Are Allergies, Asthma, and Eczema Connected?
These conditions are all linked to an overactive immune response:
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Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): Usually the first to appear in infancy, it causes dry, itchy, inflamed skin. It can be triggered by allergens, irritants, or even stress.
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Food and Environmental Allergies: Children with eczema are more likely to develop allergies such as to eggs, peanuts, dairy, dust mites or pollen.
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Asthma: Many children with allergies or eczema develop asthma, which affects the lungs and leads to wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
This progression is sometimes referred to as the “allergic march”, where symptoms evolve with age but are all linked to atopic tendencies.
Diagnosing Childhood Allergies
At Ocean Medical – Bondi Medical Centre, our experienced Bondi GPs can assess your child for allergies using the following tools:
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Detailed history and symptom review
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A referral for Skin prick testing or specific IgE blood tests
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Food challenges in controlled environments for suspected food allergies
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Lung function tests (for older children) if asthma is suspected
We refer to and follow guidelines from the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), the peak allergy body in Australia. You can read more here:
🔗 ASCIA Guidelines on Allergy Testing
Treatment and Management Options
Managing childhood allergies depends on the type of allergy and the severity of the symptoms. Common strategies include:
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Allergen avoidance – such as switching to dust-mite proof bedding or avoiding certain foods
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Medications – antihistamines, corticosteroid creams for eczema, or asthma puffers like Ventolin and preventers
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EpiPens – prescribed for children with anaphylaxis risk
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Action Plans – personalised allergy and asthma action plans are crucial for school and home safety
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Specialist Referrals – we can refer to allergists or paediatricians if needed
Can Children Grow Out of Allergies?
The good news is that many children do outgrow their food allergies – especially allergies to egg, milk, wheat, and soy – often by the age of 5 years. However, nut and seafood allergies are more likely to persist.
Regular reviews at Ocean Medical Practice help track your child’s progress, reassess their allergies, and determine when it’s safe to reintroduce certain foods under medical supervision.
More helpful information is available from ASCIA:
Why Choose Ocean Medical Practice?
Ocean Medical Practice is your local, trusted medical centre on Bondi Road, offering personalised and family-friendly care. While other clinics like Bondi Road Doctors, GP Bondi, and Bondi Doctors serve the area, our unique focus on holistic child and family health sets us apart.
Whether your child suffers from eczema, asthma, or allergies, our caring team is ready to help with expert advice, tailored action plans, and continuity of care.
Book your child’s allergy review or asthma check today at Ocean Medical Practice – Bondi’s trusted GP clinic.
📍 Visit us at 194 Bondi Road
📞 Call us at 9386 9822
🌐 Book online
For more information on our team, click here
