What are the emergency measures in an ongoing allergy clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Strategies for risk minimization should be elaborated, harmonized and followed as such in allergy clinics, centers and practices.107 In the EAACI/ARIA Position Paper by Pfaar et al.108 experts in the field have developed practical recommendations for optimizing allergic patients ‘care whilst ensuring the safety of all health care professionals (Figure 3 ). General guidance from national health authorities should be strictly followed (i.e. , World Health Organization, WHO; European Centre for Disease Prevention). In-person consultations should be minimized to the lowest necessary level and triaged by telemedicine whenever possible (Figure 4 ).109Special attention should be paid to data-protection in adherence to national data-security and –protection laws. Non-delayable diagnostic and therapeutic measures should strictly follow reasonable preventive measures. Several specific considerations regarding diagnostic and therapeutic measures are important in different allergic diseases (Figure 5 ). Moreover, socio-psychological aspects play a fundamental role in the care of allergic patients during the current pandemic and should be especially recognized and followed. Stress caused by isolation and stigmatization due to allergic symptoms may amplify the development of allergic symptoms.110