Glossary of allergology

Glossary of Allergy Terms

A

• 5-Oxo-ETE - A proinflammatory molecule related to certain allergic reactions.
• ALCAT test - A test that assesses reactions of white blood cells to various foods and chemicals.
• Aeroallergen - An airborne substance that can provoke an allergic response.
• Allergen - A substance causing an allergic reaction.
• Allergen immunotherapy - Treatment to reduce allergic reactions to specific allergens.
• Allergen of the Year - An annual designation by the American Contact Dermatitis Society to raise awareness about a common allergen.
• Allergic conjunctivitis - Inflammation of the eye due to an allergic reaction.
• Allergic inflammation - An immune response in tissues due to allergens.
• Allergic reactions to anesthesia - Adverse reactions to anesthesia agents.
• Allergic response - The body's immunologic reaction to an allergen.
• Allergic rhinitis - Inflammatory response to airborne allergens; commonly known as hay fever.
• Allergic salute - A habitual gesture, often by children, when wiping their nose upwards.
• Allergic transfusion reaction - An allergic reaction to transfused blood products.
• Allergies in children - Allergic reactions and conditions commonly found in children.
• Allergist - A medical specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases.
• Allergy test - Tests to determine an individual's allergic sensitivities.
• Allergy to cats - Allergic reactions caused by proteins found in a cat's skin, urine, and saliva.
• Alpha-gal syndrome - An allergy to a carbohydrate found in the meat of mammals, often resulting from tick bites.
• An Act to Protect Anaphylactic Pupils - Legislation ensuring safe environments for students at risk of anaphylaxis.
• Anaphylaxis - A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
• Animal allergy - Allergic reactions caused by animal proteins, e.g., dander, saliva, or urine.

B

• Basophil - A type of white blood cell involved in allergic reactions.
• Bronchospasm - The narrowing of the airways in the lungs, often as a result of an allergic reaction.

C

• Cladosporium - A common mold that can trigger allergic reactions.
• Contact dermatitis - A skin reaction resulting from direct contact with certain substances.
• Cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants - Molecules in plants and invertebrates that can cause certain allergic reactions.
• Desensitization (medicine) - A method to reduce or eliminate the body's reactivity to an allergen.

D

• Drug allergy - Allergic reactions to medication or drugs.
• Dust mite allergy - Allergic reaction to tiny bugs found in house dust.

E

• ECARF Quality Seal - A European certification for products and services designed for allergy sufferers.
• Elimination diet - A method to identify foods causing allergic or other adverse reactions by systematically removing and reintroducing them.
• Eosinophilic myocarditis - An inflammation of the heart muscle caused by an increase in eosinophils.
• Exercise-induced anaphylaxis - A rare condition where vigorous exercise triggers an anaphylactic reaction.

F

• FITkit - A test to detect allergies to certain substances.
• Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome - An allergic reaction in the gastrointestinal system, often in infants and young children.
• GWAS in allergy - Genome-wide association studies in the context of allergies.

G

• Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose - A carbohydrate involved in red meat allergies, often associated with tick bites.
• Guinea pig maximisation test - A method to determine the allergenic potential of a substance using guinea pigs.

H

• Hay fever in Japan - The occurrence and specifics of allergic rhinitis in the Japanese context.
• Helminthic therapy - The use of parasitic worms to treat various diseases, including allergies.
• Histamine intolerance - A condition where the body cannot break down histamine, leading to allergy-like symptoms.
• Histamine liberators - Substances that cause cells to release histamine.
• Human maximisation test - A test method to evaluate the allergenic potential of substances in humans.
• Hygiene hypothesis - The theory that reduced exposure to infections in early childhood is associated with increased risk of allergies.
• Hypersensitivity - A state where the immune system reacts excessively to a stimulus.
• Hypoallergenic - Described as less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
• Hypoallergenic dog breed - Dog breeds that are often recommended for allergy sufferers due to less shedding or dander.

I

• Idiosyncrasy - An unusual reaction to a drug, which is neither an allergic reaction nor a side effect.
• Insect sting allergy - An allergic reaction to the sting of an insect.
• Laboratory animal allergy - Allergies developed by researchers or others working closely with lab animals.
• Latex allergy - An allergic reaction to natural rubber latex.

L

• Local lymph node assay - A method used to assess the allergic contact dermatitis potential of chemicals.
• MELISA - A blood test to detect allergies, especially metal sensitivity.

M

• Major urinary proteins - Proteins found in the urine of many species, which can be allergenic in some contexts.
• Maple bark disease - A fungal disease of maple trees, the spores of which can cause respiratory allergies.
• Metal allergy - Allergic reactions to metals, commonly nickel, used in various products like jewelry.
• Mosquito bite allergy - An allergic response to mosquito bites, resulting in large and intensely itchy welts.

N

• N,N'-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide - A chemical used in research, which can be allergenic.
• Nasal provocation test - A test to determine allergic reactions in the nasal passages.
• Ogren Plant Allergy Scale - A scale that rates the potential of plants to cause allergic reactions.

O

• Oral allergy syndrome - An allergic reaction in the mouth in response to certain foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Paul Portier (physiologist) - A pioneer in the study of anaphylaxis and allergic reactions.

P

• Perfume intolerance - Sensitivity or allergic reactions to ingredients in perfumes.
• Platinosis - An occupational allergic reaction related to platinum exposure.
• Pollen - Tiny grains released by trees, grasses, and weeds that can cause allergic reactions when inhaled.
• Polyethylene glycol - A polymer that can occasionally cause allergic reactions.
• Pool chlorine hypothesis - A theory suggesting that exposure to chlorine in swimming pools may increase the risk of developing allergies or asthma.
• Prausnitz–Küstner test - A diagnostic test for allergies.
• Pseudoallergy - Reactions that mimic allergic reactions but are not caused by the immune system.

R

• Ragweed - A common allergenic plant, particularly known for causing hay fever symptoms during its pollination season.
• Rhinitis - Inflammation of the nasal passages, often due to allergies.
• Rice allergy - Allergic reactions to rice, a common grain.

S

• SEICAP - Spanish Society of Pediatric Allergology, Clinical Immunology, and Asthma.
• Skeeter syndrome - An allergic reaction to mosquito bites, causing severe redness and swelling.
• Skin allergy test - A test that involves placing potential allergens on the skin to determine allergic reactions.
• Slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis - Chemicals produced in the body during some allergic reactions.
• Stallergenes Greer - A company that provides solutions for allergies.
• Sweat allergy - A rare allergic reaction to the components of one's own sweat.

T

• Toxicodendron orientale - A plant similar to poison ivy that can cause skin irritations.
• Toxicodendron radicans - Also known as poison ivy, a plant known to cause allergic skin reactions upon contact.
• Urushiol-induced contact dermatitis - Skin irritation caused by contact with urushiol, an oily organic allergen found in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.

V

• Vaccine allergy - A rare allergic reaction to components found in vaccines.
• Vasomotor rhinitis - Non-allergic rhinitis with symptoms caused by triggers like air pollutants, weather changes, or spicy foods.

W

• Wheat allergy - Allergic reactions to proteins present in wheat.

X

• Xolair - A medication used to treat moderate to severe allergic asthma and chronic hives.

Y

• Yeast allergy - Allergic reactions to yeasts in foods or the environment.

Z

• Zafirlukast - An oral leukotriene receptor antagonist for the maintenance treatment of asthma.

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