Allergic rhinitis, also called pollinosis, hay fever or nasal allergies, is a collection of symptoms, predominantly in the nose and eyes, that occur after exposure to airborne particles of dust, dander, or the pollens of certain seasonal plants in people who are allergic to these substances. When these symptoms are caused by pollens, the allergic rhinitis is commonly known as "hay fever", after the fact it is most prevalent during haying. Hay fever - Causes. Allergies are caused ...

Including:

• Hay fever - Causes
• Hay fever - Symptoms
• Hay fever - Signs and tests
• Hay fever - Treatment
• Hay fever - Medication
• Hay fever - Expectations
• Hay fever - Complications

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An allergy or Type I hypersensitivity is an immune malfunction whereby a person's body is hypersensitised to react immunologically to typically nonimmunogenic substances. When a person is hypersensitised, these substances are known as allergens. The word allergy derives from the Greek words allos meaning "other" and ergon meaning "reaction" or "reactivity". Type I hypersensitivity is characterised by excessive activation of mast cells by immunoglobulin E resulting in a systemic inflammatory response that can resul ...

Including:

• Allergy - History
• Allergy - Signs and symptoms
• Allergy - Diagnosis
• Allergy - Skin test
• Allergy - Problems with skin test
• Allergy - Total IgE count
• Allergy - Treatment
• Allergy - Immunotherapy
• Allergy - Chemotherapy
• Allergy - Alternative therapies
• Allergy - Pathophysiology
• Allergy - Acute response
• Allergy - Late-phase response
• Allergy - Basis of the allergic response
• Allergy - Genetic Basis
• Allergy - Relationship with parasites
• Allergy - Basis of increasing prevalence
• Allergy - The hygiene hypothesis
• Allergy - Increasing use of chemicals
• Allergy - Common allergens

Read more here: » Allergy: Encyclopedia - Allergy

Atopy (Greek ατοπία - placelessness, not allocatable) or atopic syndrome is the clustering of eczema (atopic dermatitis), allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma in certain individuals. There appears to be a strong hereditary component, presumably certain genes coding proteins involved in the normal immune response mechanism i.e Human leukocyte antigen, although envi ...

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• Atopy - Notes

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Cromoglicate Cromoglicate (INN) (also referred to as cromolyn (USAN) or cromoglycate (former BAN)) is a mast cell stabilizing drug, and is commonly marketed as the sodium salt sodium cromoglicate. This drug prevents the release of chemicals such as histamine from mast cells. It is available as a nasal spray (Nasalcrom®) to treat allergic rhinitis, as an inhaler (Intal®) to treat asthma, as eye drops (Opticrom®) for allergic conjunctivitis, or in an oral form (Gastrocrom®) to treat mastocyt

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Mast cells express a high-affinity receptor (FcεRI) for Immunoglobulin E (IgE), the least abundant member of the antibodies. This receptor is of such high affinity that binding of IgE molecules is essentially irreversible. As a result, mast cells are coated with IgE. IgE is, in turn, synthetised by B-cells (the antibody-producing cells of the immune system). IgE molecules, like all antibodies, are specific for one specific epitope. In allergic reactions, mast cells remain inactive until an allergen binds to IgE already in association ...

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Mast cell, Mast cell - Origin and classification, Mast cell - Physiology, Mast cell - Role in disease, Mast cell - Allergic disease, Mast cell - Anaphylaxis, Mast cell - Mast cell disorders, Mast cell - Sources

Read more here: » Mast cell: Encyclopedia II - Mast cell - Physiology

There are limited mainstream medical treatments for allergies, probably the most important factor in rehabilitation is the removal of sources of allergens from the home environment, and avoiding environments in which contact with allergens is likely. The trouble with them is that they have not all been proven. Therefore it could be seen as a placebo, however it has helped people. See also:

Allergy, Allergy - History, Allergy - Signs and symptoms, Allergy - Diagnosis, Allergy - Skin test, Allergy - Problems with skin test, Allergy - Total IgE count, Allergy - Treatment, Allergy - Immunotherapy, Allergy - Chemotherapy, Allergy - Alternative therapies, Allergy - Pathophysiology, Allergy - Acute response, Allergy - Late-phase response, Allergy - Basis of the allergic response, Allergy - Genetic Basis, Allergy - Relationship with parasites, Allergy - Basis of increasing prevalence, Allergy - The hygiene hypothesis, Allergy - Increasing use of chemicals, Allergy - Common allergens

Read more here: » Allergy: Encyclopedia II - Allergy - Treatment

There are limited mainstream medical treatments for allergies, probably the most important factor in rehabilitation is the removal of sources of allergens from the home environment, and avoiding environments in which contact with allergens is likely. Allergy - Immunotherapy. Hyposensitization is a form of immunotherapy where the patient is gradually vaccinated against progressively larger doses of the allergen in question. This can either reduce the severity or eliminate hypersensitivity altogether. It rel ...

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Allergy, Allergy - History, Allergy - Signs and symptoms, Allergy - Diagnosis, Allergy - Skin test, Allergy - Problems with skin test, Allergy - Total IgE count, Allergy - Treatment, Allergy - Immunotherapy, Allergy - Chemotherapy, Allergy - Alternative therapies, Allergy - Pathophysiology, Allergy - Acute response, Allergy - Late-phase response, Allergy - Basis of the allergic response, Allergy - Genetic Basis, Allergy - Relationship with parasites, Allergy - Basis of increasing prevalence, Allergy - The hygiene hypothesis, Allergy - Increasing use of chemicals, Allergy - Common allergens

Read more here: » Allergy: Encyclopedia II - Allergy - Treatment

There are limited mainstream medical treatments for allergies. Probably the most important factor in rehabilitation is the removal of sources of allergens from the home environment, and avoiding environments in which contact with allergens is likely. The trouble with them is that they have not all been proven. Therefore it could be seen as a placebo; however, it has helped people. See also:

Allergy, Allergy - History, Allergy - Signs and symptoms, Allergy - Diagnosis, Allergy - Skin test, Allergy - Problems with skin test, Allergy - Total IgE count, Allergy - Treatment, Allergy - Immunotherapy, Allergy - Chemotherapy, Allergy - Alternative therapies, Allergy - Pathophysiology, Allergy - Acute response, Allergy - Late-phase response, Allergy - Basis of the allergic response, Allergy - Genetic Basis, Allergy - Relationship with parasites, Allergy - Basis of increasing prevalence, Allergy - The hygiene hypothesis, Allergy - Increasing use of chemicals, Allergy - Common allergens

Read more here: » Allergy: Encyclopedia II - Allergy - Treatment

Allergies are caused by an oversensitive immune system, leading to a misdirected immune response. The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses. Allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to substances (allergens) that are generally harmless and in most people do not cause an immune response. As noted above, hay fever involves an allergic reaction to pollen. A virtually identical reaction occurs with allergy to mold, animal dander, dust, and similar inhaled allergens. Particulate matter in polluted air and chemicals such as chlorine and detergents, which can normally be tolerated, ...

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Hay fever, Hay fever - Causes, Hay fever - Symptoms, Hay fever - Signs and tests, Hay fever - Treatment, Hay fever - Medication, Hay fever - Expectations, Hay fever - Complications

Read more here: » Hay fever: Encyclopedia II - Hay fever - Causes

There has been a notable increase in the commonness of allergies in the past decades, and there are multiple hypotheses explaining this phenomenon. This is in part because we know what they are, in contrast to earlier humans who would think that it is a non-important illness. Allergy - The hygiene hypothesis. One theory that has been gaining strength is the "hygiene hypothesis". This theory maintains that since children in more affluent countries are leading a cleaner and cleaner life (less exposure to dir ...

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Allergy, Allergy - History, Allergy - Signs and symptoms, Allergy - Diagnosis, Allergy - Skin test, Allergy - Problems with skin test, Allergy - Total IgE count, Allergy - Treatment, Allergy - Immunotherapy, Allergy - Chemotherapy, Allergy - Alternative therapies, Allergy - Pathophysiology, Allergy - Acute response, Allergy - Late-phase response, Allergy - Basis of the allergic response, Allergy - Genetic Basis, Allergy - Relationship with parasites, Allergy - Basis of increasing prevalence, Allergy - The hygiene hypothesis, Allergy - Increasing use of chemicals, Allergy - Common allergens

Read more here: » Allergy: Encyclopedia II - Allergy - Basis of increasing prevalence

Mast cell - Allergic disease. Many forms of cutaneous and mucosal allergy are mediated for a large part by mast cells; they play a central role in asthma, eczema, itch (from various causes) and allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. Antihistamine drugs act by blocking the action of histamine on nerve endings. Cromoglycate-based drugs (sodium cromoglycate, nedocromil) block a calcium channel essential for mast cell degranulation, stabilizing the cell and preventing release of histamine and related m ...

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Mast cell, Mast cell - Origin and classification, Mast cell - Physiology, Mast cell - Role in disease, Mast cell - Allergic disease, Mast cell - Anaphylaxis, Mast cell - Mast cell disorders, Mast cell - Sources

Read more here: » Mast cell: Encyclopedia II - Mast cell - Role in disease

The goal of treatment is to reduce allergy symptoms caused by the inflammation of affected tissues. The best "treatment" is to avoid what causes your allergic symptoms in the first place. Hay fever - Medication. The most appropriate medication depends on the type and severity of symptoms. Specific illnesses that are caused by allergies (such as asthma and eczema) may require other treatments. Options include the following: Short-acting antihistamines, which are generally over-the-counte ...

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Hay fever, Hay fever - Causes, Hay fever - Symptoms, Hay fever - Signs and tests, Hay fever - Treatment, Hay fever - Medication, Hay fever - Expectations, Hay fever - Complications

Read more here: » Hay fever: Encyclopedia II - Hay fever - Treatment

There are several methods for the diagnosis and assessment of allergies. Allergy - Skin test. The typical and most simple method of diagnosis and monitoring of Type I Hypersensitivity is by skin testing, also known as prick testing, due to the series of pricks made into the patient's skin. Small amounts of suspected allergens and/or their extracts (pollen, grass, mite proteins, peanut extract, etc.) are introduced to sites on the skin marked with pen or dye (the ink/dye should be carefully selected, lest i ...

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Allergy, Allergy - History, Allergy - Signs and symptoms, Allergy - Diagnosis, Allergy - Skin test, Allergy - Problems with skin test, Allergy - Total IgE count, Allergy - Treatment, Allergy - Immunotherapy, Allergy - Chemotherapy, Allergy - Alternative therapies, Allergy - Pathophysiology, Allergy - Acute response, Allergy - Late-phase response, Allergy - Basis of the allergic response, Allergy - Genetic Basis, Allergy - Relationship with parasites, Allergy - Basis of increasing prevalence, Allergy - The hygiene hypothesis, Allergy - Increasing use of chemicals, Allergy - Common allergens

Read more here: » Allergy: Encyclopedia II - Allergy - Diagnosis

Allergy is characterised by a local or systemic inflammatory response to allergens. Local symptoms are: Nose: swelling of the nasal mucosa (allergic rhinitis) The distinctive behavior known as nasal salute, also known as allergy salute, is the habit of wiping of the nose in an upward direction due to itching. Eyes: redness and itching of the conjunctiva (allergic conjunctivitis) Airways: bronchoconstriction, wheezing and dyspnoea, sometimes outright attacks of asthma Skin: various rashes, such as eczema, hi ...

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Allergy, Allergy - History, Allergy - Signs and symptoms, Allergy - Diagnosis, Allergy - Skin test, Allergy - Problems with skin test, Allergy - Total IgE count, Allergy - Treatment, Allergy - Immunotherapy, Allergy - Chemotherapy, Allergy - Alternative therapies, Allergy - Pathophysiology, Allergy - Acute response, Allergy - Late-phase response, Allergy - Basis of the allergic response, Allergy - Genetic Basis, Allergy - Relationship with parasites, Allergy - Basis of increasing prevalence, Allergy - The hygiene hypothesis, Allergy - Increasing use of chemicals, Allergy - Common allergens

Read more here: » Allergy: Encyclopedia II - Allergy - Signs and symptoms

All hypersensitivities result from an aberration somewhere in the normal immune process. The exact cause of such malfunctions is not always apparent, however, and several arguments from genetic-basis, environmental-basis and intermediate proponents exist with varying validity and acceptance. Allergy - Acute response. The difference between a type I hypersensitivity reaction against an allergen to the normal humoral response against a foreign body is that plasma cells secrete IgE as opposed to either IgM (a ...

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Allergy, Allergy - History, Allergy - Signs and symptoms, Allergy - Diagnosis, Allergy - Skin test, Allergy - Problems with skin test, Allergy - Total IgE count, Allergy - Treatment, Allergy - Immunotherapy, Allergy - Chemotherapy, Allergy - Alternative therapies, Allergy - Pathophysiology, Allergy - Acute response, Allergy - Late-phase response, Allergy - Basis of the allergic response, Allergy - Genetic Basis, Allergy - Relationship with parasites, Allergy - Basis of increasing prevalence, Allergy - The hygiene hypothesis, Allergy - Increasing use of chemicals, Allergy - Common allergens

Read more here: » Allergy: Encyclopedia II - Allergy - Pathophysiology

Allergy - Genetic Basis. There is much evidence to support the genetic basis of allergy, as allergic parents are more likely to have allergic children, and their allergies are likely to be stronger than those from non-allergic parents. However some allergies are not consistent along genealogies with parents being allergic to peanuts, but having children allergic to ragweed, or siblings not sharing the same allergens. Ethnicity has also been shown to play a role in some allergies. Interestingly, in r ...

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Allergy, Allergy - History, Allergy - Signs and symptoms, Allergy - Diagnosis, Allergy - Skin test, Allergy - Problems with skin test, Allergy - Total IgE count, Allergy - Treatment, Allergy - Immunotherapy, Allergy - Chemotherapy, Allergy - Alternative therapies, Allergy - Pathophysiology, Allergy - Acute response, Allergy - Late-phase response, Allergy - Basis of the allergic response, Allergy - Genetic Basis, Allergy - Relationship with parasites, Allergy - Basis of increasing prevalence, Allergy - The hygiene hypothesis, Allergy - Increasing use of chemicals, Allergy - Common allergens

Read more here: » Allergy: Encyclopedia II - Allergy - Basis of the allergic response

The history of the person's symptoms is important in diagnosing allergic rhinitis, including whether the symptoms vary according to time of day or the season; exposure to pets or other allergens; and diet changes. Allergy testing may reveal the specific allergens the person is reacting to. Skin testing is the most common method of allergy testing. This may include intradermal, scratch, patch, or other tests. Less commonly, the suspected allergen is dissolved and dropped onto the lower eyelid as a means of testing for allergies. (This test should only be done by a physician, never the patient, ...

See also:

Hay fever, Hay fever - Causes, Hay fever - Symptoms, Hay fever - Signs and tests, Hay fever - Treatment, Hay fever - Medication, Hay fever - Expectations, Hay fever - Complications

Read more here: » Hay fever: Encyclopedia II - Hay fever - Signs and tests

There has been a notable increase in the commonness of allergies in the past decades, and there are multiple hypotheses explaining this phenomenon. Allergy - The hygiene hypothesis. One theory that has been gaining strength is the "hygiene hypothesis". This theory maintains that since children in more affluent countries are leading a cleaner and cleaner life (less exposure to dirt, extra use of disinfectants, etc), their immune systems have less exposure to parasites and other pathogens than children in ot ...

See also:

Allergy, Allergy - History, Allergy - Signs and symptoms, Allergy - Diagnosis, Allergy - Skin test, Allergy - Problems with skin test, Allergy - Total IgE count, Allergy - Treatment, Allergy - Immunotherapy, Allergy - Chemotherapy, Allergy - Alternative therapies, Allergy - Pathophysiology, Allergy - Acute response, Allergy - Late-phase response, Allergy - Basis of the allergic response, Allergy - Genetic Basis, Allergy - Relationship with parasites, Allergy - Basis of increasing prevalence, Allergy - The hygiene hypothesis, Allergy - Increasing use of chemicals, Allergy - Common allergens

Read more here: » Allergy: Encyclopedia II - Allergy - Basis of increasing prevalence

Mast cells were first described by Paul Ehrlich in 1878 on the basis of their unique staining characteristics and large granules. These granules also led him to the mistaken belief that they existed to nourish the surrounding tissue, and he named them "mastzellen," meaning "feeding-cells." Nowadays, they are considered part of the immune system. Mast cells are very similar to basophil granulocytes (a class of white blood cells) in blood; the similarities between mast cells and basophils has led many to speculate that mast cells are basophils ...

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Mast cell, Mast cell - Origin and classification, Mast cell - Physiology, Mast cell - Role in disease, Mast cell - Allergic disease, Mast cell - Anaphylaxis, Mast cell - Mast cell disorders, Mast cell - Sources

Read more here: » Mast cell: Encyclopedia II - Mast cell - Origin and classification