Category: Ah-Al

An allergic reaction to peanuts, the leading cause of anaphylaxis, the most severe and potentially life threatening allergic reaction, and the leading cause of death from food allergy in the US and other Western nations. The prevalence of peanut allergy is increasing. This increase may be due to the exposure of infants with rashes to products such as skin preparations containing peanut oils, sensitizing the children…

Allergic reactions to stings of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). These reactions can include dizziness, itching, welts, massive swelling, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, shock, and even death.

Casein and whey are the two major proteins of human milk and most milk-based formulas. Some (less than 8% of) infants have a true allergy to the cow proteins that are in milk-based formulas. Infants with true cow milk allergy can develop abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, skin rash, and wheezing when given milk- based formulas. These symptoms will disappear as soon milk- based formula is removed…

A condition that manifests as an allergic reaction when one is exposed to tiny particles from cockroaches. Asthma can be due to exposure to cockroach allergens (allergy-provoking substances). These substances are the proteins shed or excreted by the cockroaches.

A test in which a small drop of the suspected allergy-provoking substance (allergen) is placed on the skin and the skin is then gently scratched through the drop with a sterile needle. If the skin reddens and, more importantly, if it swells, the test is read as positive, and allergy to that substance is considered probable.

Stimulation of the immune system with gradually increasing doses of the substances to which a person is allergic in order to modify or stop the allergic response. This form of treatment is very effective for allergies to pollen, mites, animal dander, and stinging insects, including bees, hornets, yellow jackets, wasps, velvet ants, fire ants, and certain necessary medications.

A test in which a small drop of the suspected allergy-provoking substance (allergen) is placed on the skin and the skin is then gently scratched through the drop with a sterile needle. If the skin reddens and, more importantly, if it swells, the test is read as positive, and allergy to that substance is considered probable.

Stimulation of the immune system with gradually increasing doses of the substances to which a person is allergic. The aim is to modify or stop the allergy by reducing the strength of the IgE response. This form of treatment is very effective for allergies to pollen, mites, animal dander, and especially stinging insects. Allergy immunotherapy usually takes six months to a year to…

Stimulation of the immune system with gradually increasing doses of the substances to which a person is allergic in order to modify or stop the allergic response. This form of treatment is very effective for allergies to pollen, mites, animal dander, and stinging insects, including bees, hornets, yellow jackets, wasps, velvet ants, fire ants, and certain necessary medications.

One of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the mission of the NIAID is “to support and conduct research and research training (that) strives to understand, treat, and ultimately prevent the myriad infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases that threaten millions of human lives.” Immunology figures into this statement presumably because it is the common foundation for…