Allergy
Allergy refers to an abnormal sensitivity to a given substance such as pollen, dust, some drugs and numerous other environmental agents. The term “allergy” was first coined in 1906 by a Viennese doctor named Clemens Von Pirquet when he observed hypersensitivity of some of his patients to some specific elements. Allergy has derived its name from the Greek word “allos” meaning “other” and “ergon” meaning “work”.
Symptoms of allergy: -
Allergy is the inflammatory response of the body’s immune system to the causative agent which is termed as “allergen”. Allergy can manifest itself in several ways of which the most common symptoms have been described here: -
- Inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity.
- Irritation and itching of the conjunctiva.
- Sneezing, coughing, wheezing, bronchoconstriction, asthma, dyspnea and even anaphylaxis.
- Rashes in the skin such as dermatitis, eczema and urticaria.
- Severe pain in the ear followed by impaired hearing, etc.
Allergy Response
Allergy is an inflammatory response of the immune system of our body to any foreign substance or “allergen”. Allergic responses can be classified into two types- acute response and late phase response.
- Acute Response: – Type I hypersensitivity reaction against an allergen takes place through humoral response. When an allergen enters the body of an individual the plasma cells start secreting IgE instead of IgM or IgG. IgE is the factor that triggers the acute inflammatory response.
- Late-phase response: – Late-phase response manifests itself only after the chemical mediators involved in generating acute response subside. The sudden migration of the neutrophils, macrophages and eosinophils to the initial site results in late-phase response. It lasts for one to two days or even more.
Treatment against allergy: -
Over the recent years many types of treatments have been carried out on patients suffering from allergy such as immunotherapy, pharmacotherapy as well as alternative forms of treatment such as homeopathy and herbal medicines. In immunotherapy, the patient is vaccinated with progressively higher doses of the specific allergen that is causing the allergy. This can either result in hyposensitivity of the patient to that allergen or reduction of the severity of the allergy reactions in the body. Monoclonal antibodies are also used in immunotherapy.
ALLERGY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
- Studies Ignite Hope for Long-Acting Allergy Vaccines
(HealthDay) - Resetting immune system in bid to beat scleroderma
(AP) - Immune System Biomarkers May Predict Early Lung Cancer
(HealthDay) - Allergy tests useful before implanting devices
(Reuters) - Painkiller safe and effective in children: review
(Reuters) - Orexigen obesity drug shows added benefits: studies
(Reuters) - Orexigen obesity drug shows added benefits: studies
(Reuters) - Orexigen obesity drug shows added benefits: studies
(Reuters) - Orexigen obesity drug shows added benefits: studies
(Reuters) - Oxford says cancer drug may increase patient survival
(Reuters) - Oxford says cancer drug may increase patient survival
(Reuters) - Therapy helps hard-to-transplant get a new kidney
(AP) - Delays in Lung Cancer Care More Common in Public Hospitals
(HealthDay) - Delays in Lung Cancer Care More Common in Public Hospitals
(HealthDay) - Lymph node injections offer fast allergy therapy
(Reuters) - Lymph Node Shots Tested for Grass Pollen Allergy
(HealthDay) - Immunotherapy may benefit allergic preschoolers
(Reuters) - Drinking milk may ease milk allergy
(Reuters) - Sepracor’s Stedesa (eslicarbazepine acetate) New Drug Application Formally Accepted for Review by the FDA
- Genes predict response to leukemia treatment
(Reuters) - CSL Behring Receives FDA Approval of RiaSTAP, First and Only Approved Treatment of Acute Bleeding Episodes in Patients with Congenital Fibrinogen Deficiency
- CSL Behring Receives FDA Approval of RiaSTAP, First and Only Approved Treatment of Acute Bleeding Episodes in Patients with Congenital Fibrinogen Deficiency
- Oral immunotherapy promising for children with milk allergy
(Reuters) - Oral immunotherapy promising for children with milk allergy
(Reuters) - HIV/AIDS Update – Atripla label update reflects new efficacy, safety and resistance data in treatment experienced patients
- HIV/AIDS Update – Atripla label update reflects new efficacy, safety and resistance data in treatment experienced patients
- Blood Test Might Sort Out Milk Allergies
(HealthDay) - Blood Test Might Sort Out Milk Allergies
(HealthDay) - Health Tip: If You Have a Food Allergy
(HealthDay) - Health Tip: Getting Answers About Allergy Shots
(HealthDay) - Experts recommend finetuning of HIV treatment
(Reuters) - Experts recommend finetuning of HIV treatment
(Reuters) - Experts recommend finetuning of HIV treatment
(Reuters) - Experts recommend finetuning of HIV treatment
(Reuters) - CSL Behring Receives FDA Approval of RiaSTAP, First and Only Approved Treatment of Acute Bleeding Episodes in Patients with Congenital Fibrinogen Deficiency
- Randomized Phase 2 Study Of IMC-A12 And IMC-1121B For Advanced Prostate Cancer Commences Patient Enrollment
- HAART Might Increase Risk Of Asthma In Young Children, Study Says
- Polyketals May Improve Treatment Of Inflammatory Diseases
- GP-Led Hypertension Health Promotion Campaign Delivers Response Rates Of 76%
- Immune Response To Human Embryonic Stem Cells In Mice Suggests Human Therapy May Face Challenge
- As Ragweed Season Peaks, Keep Allergy Symptoms In Check
- The Alliance For Patient Medication Safety Submits Landmark Filing To Be A Patient Safety Organization, USA
- Statement On The U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services’ Proposed Rule On ICD-10
- Evidence Of Activity Seen In New Data From ASA404 Prostate Cancer Trial
- Dendreon Initiates Second Of Two New Phase 2 Trials Of PROVENGE For Prostate Cancer
- Alternative Vaccine Strategy Shows Promise in Prostate Cancer Patients
- Scientists To Develop Rheumatoid Arthritis Vaccine
- New Lymphoma Drug Shows Promise
- Nuvelo Announces Positive Phase 1b Proof-of-Concept Data With Anticoagulant NU172
- Anemia Of Chronic Disease: An Adaptive Response?