Clinical Topic Keynote message(s) Title and Reference
Asthma ·      Prescribed inhaled (or oral) corticosteroids as controller medication should be further applied to patients with asthma as cessation may lead to asthma exacerbations. ARIA-EAACI statement on Asthma and COVID-19.16
Allergic rhinitis
·      Intranasal corticosteroids (including nasal sprays) can be further applied in COVID-19 patients at the recommended dosages and a cessation or interruption is not recommended. ·    Furthermore, a cessation or interruption of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for both the subcutaneous route (SCIT) or sublingual route (SLIT) is not recommended in asymptomatic patients without suspicion for SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or contact to SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals or in other conditions as outlined. corticosteroids in allergic rhinitis in COVID-19 infected patients: An ARIA-EAACI statement Intranasal corticosteroids in allergic rhinitis in COVID-19 infected patients: An ARIA-EAACI statement.21 Handling of allergen immunotherapy in the COVID-19 pandemic: An ARIA-EAACI statement. 22
Biological-Treatment
·      Biologicals should be applied in type 2 inflammations (asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps) via self-application in non-infected patients ·      In patient with an active SARS-CoV-2 infection treatment with biologicals should be paused and re-initiated after recovery and SARS-CoV-2 negativity of patients.
Considerations on biologicals for patients with allergic disease in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: an EAACI Statement. 28
Children
·      Less severe courses of COVID-19 in the pediatric population have been reported. ·      Similar to the adult age group, severe forms of asthma and immunodeficiencies are reported to be risk factors. ·      A sufficient control of symptoms in children with allergies, asthma and immunodeficiency in accordance with current guidelines is key in the current pandemic.
Managing childhood allergies and immunodeficiencies during respiratory virus epidemics - The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic: A statement from the EAACI-section on pediatrics.25
Drug allergy
·      Drugs being used in different phases of COVID-19 disease seem to cause rare but potentially severe drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs). ·      Most of these DHRs affect the skin and are non-immediate. ·      The most important differential diagnosis of these DHRs is COVID-19 related exanthems.
Diagnosis and management of the drug hypersensitivity reactions in coronavirus disease drug hypersensitivity.27
Ocular allergy
·      An international survey revealed that experts in the field recommend that during the ongoing pandemic therapy strategies in line with current guidelines should be followed. ·      However, particular caution for the use of corticosteroids and immunomodulators in COVID-19 infected patients is expressed.
Managing ocular allergy in the time of COVID-19. 19
Organization of an allergy clinic
·      Recommendations on operational plans and procedures to maintain high standards in the daily clinical care of allergic patients whilst ensuring necessary safety in the current COVID-19 pandemic should be followed. ·      Nine different scenarios and topics are discussed.
COVID-19 pandemic: Practical considerations on the organization of an allergy clinic - an EAACI/ARIA Position Paper. 23