Allergic disorders
Allergic Disorders
Allergic disorders (/əˈlɜːrdʒɪk dɪsˈɔːrdərz/) are a group of conditions caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system to typically harmless substances in the environment. These diseases include hay fever, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, and anaphylaxis. Symptoms may include red eyes, an itchy rash, sneezing, a runny nose, shortness of breath, or swelling.
Etymology
The term "allergy" was first used by Clemens von Pirquet in 1906, from the Greek words allos (άλλος), meaning "other", and ergon (έργον), meaning "work". The term "disorder" comes from the Old French desordre, meaning "lack of order".
Types of Allergic Disorders
- Hay Fever - Also known as allergic rhinitis, it is an allergic response to specific allergens. Pollen is the most common allergen.
- Food Allergies - These are a common type of allergic disorder. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include anaphylaxis.
- Atopic Dermatitis - Commonly known as eczema, it is a type of inflammation of the skin.
- Allergic Asthma - Asthma triggered by allergens. Common triggers include dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold, and cockroach waste.
- Anaphylaxis - A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of allergic disorders typically involves skin tests, blood tests, or elimination diet. If possible, the allergen should be avoided.
Treatment
Treatment of allergic disorders can include avoiding known allergens, medications such as antihistamines and corticosteroids, and for severe allergies, immunotherapy (allergy shots) or emergency epinephrine.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Allergic disorders
- Wikipedia's article - Allergic disorders
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski