Allergy
hideAllergy is a disorder of the immune system often also referred to as atopy. Allergic reactions occur to normally harmless environmental substances known as allergens; these reactions are acquired, predictable, and rapid. Strictly, allergy is one of four forms of hypersensitivity and is called type I (or immediate) hypersensitivity. It is characterized by excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils by a type of antibody known as IgE, resulting in an extreme inflammatory response. Common allergic reactions include eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma, food allergies, and reactions to the venom of stinging insects such as wasps and bees.
Mild allergies like hay fever are highly prevalent in the human population and cause symptoms such as allergic conjunctivitis, itchiness, and runny nose. Allergies can play a major role in conditions such as asthma. In some people, severe allergies to environmental or dietary allergens or to medication may result in life-threatening anaphylactic reactions and potentially death.
A variety of tests now exist to diagnose allergic conditions; these include testing the skin for responses to known allergens or analyzing the blood for the presence and levels of allergen-specific IgE. Treatments for allergies include allergen avoidance, use of anti-histamines, steroids or other oral medications, immunotherapy to desensitize the response to allergen, and targeted therapy.
For more information about Allergy, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
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News tagged with allergic reactions
Drinking milk to ease milk allergy?
Oct 30, 2008 |
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Giving children with milk allergies increasingly higher doses of milk over time may ease, and even help them completely overcome, their allergic reactions, according to the results of a study led by the Johns Hopkins Children's ...
Six bad reactions to swine flu vaccine in Canada: official (Update)
Medicine & Health / Medications
Nov 24, 2009 |
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Six severe allergic reactions to swine flu vaccinations have been observed in Canada, health authorities said Tuesday, adding that all of the individuals are feeling better.
Asthma and other allergies tied to absence of specialized cells
Jul 17, 2008 |
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When it comes to allergies, both the problem and the solution are found within us. Our immune systems respond to foreign substances with an arsenal of cells. Some are programmed to "remember" invaders they've encountered ...
Spring breakers should keep an eye out for bed bugs during travels
Mar 06, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- During the past three to four years, the instances of bed bug infestations have increased at an alarming rate at motels and hotels around the world. Instances of bed bug infestations have been reported at ...
Researchers find new way of reducing the symptoms of anaphylactic shock
Jul 27, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- A method of reducing the impact or symptoms of anaphylactic shock has been identified by university researchers.
Mites On Hissing Coackroach May Benefit Humans With Allergies
Apr 29, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Tiny mites living on the surface of Madagascar hissing cockroaches help decrease the presence of a variety of molds on the cockroaches' bodies, potentially reducing allergic responses among ...
Multi-tasking molecule holds key to allergic reactions
Aug 07, 2008 |
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As the summer approaches most of us rejoice, reach for the sunscreen and head outdoors. But an ever-growing number of people reach for tissue instead as pollen leaves eyes watering, noses running and spirits dwindling. Hay ...
Mites On Hissing Cockroach May Benefit Humans With Allergies
Jun 10, 2009 |
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Tiny mites living on the surface of Madagascar hissing cockroaches help decrease the presence of a variety of molds on the cockroaches’ bodies, potentially reducing allergic responses among humans who handle ...
Most vaccine-allergic children can still be safely vaccinated, experts say
Sep 02, 2008 |
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With close monitoring and a few standard precautions, nearly all children with known or suspected vaccine allergies can be safely immunized, according to a team of vaccine safety experts led by the Johns Hopkins Children's ...
Conclusive evidence that tainted heparin caused allergic reactions
Dec 04, 2008 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- A team of researchers has confirmed that a contaminant found in several batches of the blood-thinner heparin is linked with severe allergic reactions in patients, dozens of whom died after ...
Canberra parents lack allergy awareness: Study
Mar 17, 2009 |
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Nearly four per cent of ACT kindergarten children have a peanut allergy and while the region's schools are well prepared to cope with this, some parents are taking inappropriate action when dealing with their child's allergy, ...
New evidence explains poor infant immune response to certain vaccines
Apr 01, 2009 |
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For years, researchers and physicians have known that infants' immune systems do not respond well to certain vaccines, thus the need for additional boosters as children develop. Now, in a new study from the University of ...
Malfunction of the respiratory epithelium is a cause of allergy?
Apr 03, 2009 |
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One reason for the development of allergy may be malfunction of the respiratory epithelium, which allows allergens to bind to, enter and travel through the epithelium. Two studies by Finnish research groups on this subject ...
Automated Tissue Engineering on Demand
May 18, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- There is an increasing demand for skin. Manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, cosmetics and medical engineering products need it in order to test the compatibility of their products ...
Common chemotherapy drug triggers fatal allergic reactions
Jun 08, 2009 |
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A chemotherapy drug that is supposed to help save cancer patients' lives, instead resulted in life-threatening and sometimes fatal allergic reactions.
