Also called: Also called: Hypersensitivity
An allergy is a reaction of your immune system to something that does not bother most other people. People who have allergies often are sensitive to more than one thing. Substances that often cause reactions are
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Mold spores
- Pet dander
- Food
- Insect stings
- Medicines
How do you get allergies? Scientists think both genes and the environment have something to do with it. Normally, your immune system fights germs. It is your body's defense system. In most allergic reactions, however, it is responding to a false alarm.
Allergies can cause a runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling or asthma. Symptoms vary. Although allergies can make you feel bad, they usually won't kill you. However, a severe reaction called anaphylaxis is life-threatening.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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Airborne Allergens: Something in the Air
(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) - Large PDF file - http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/allergicDiseases/PDF/airborne_allergens.pdf
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Allergies: Things You Can Do to Control Your Symptoms(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/allergies/basics/083.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/allergies/basics/083.printerview.html
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What Is an Allergic Reaction?(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatisallergicreaction.stm
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/espanol/tips/en_que_consiste_una_reaccion_alergica.stm
- Frequently Asked Questions about Allergies(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/nab/index.cfm?p=faq
- No Place Safe from Allergies(09/05/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68978.html
- Some Allergy Tests Give Late Results(09/04/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68899.html
- Even Kids with Known Allergies Can Be Safely Vaccinated(09/04/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68926.html
- More News on Allergy http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_a.html#allergy
- Allergy Skin Tests(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/allergy-tests/MY00131/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
- Allergy Testing(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/allergy/test.html
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What Is Allergy Testing?(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatisallergytesting.stm
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/espanol/tips/que_es_una_prueba_de_alergia.stm
- White Blood Cell Differential Count(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/differential/test.html
- Allergy Medications: Know Your Options(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/allergy-medications/AA00037/METHOD=print
- Allergy Shots: Hope for Long-Term Allergy Relief(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/allergy-shots/AA00017/METHOD=print
- Anaphylaxis: First Aid(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/first-aid-anaphylaxis/FA00003/METHOD=print
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Antihistamine Drugs(Consumers Union of U.S.) - http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/antihistamine.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/2pager_SpanishAntihistamines.pdf
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Antihistamines(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/allergies/treatment/262.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/allergies/treatment/262.printerview.html
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Asthma and Allergy Medications(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/asthmaallergymedications.stm
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/espanol/tips/medicamentos_para_el_asma_y_las_alergias.stm
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Decongestants: OTC Relief for Congestion(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/otc-center/otc-medicines/859.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/otc-center/otc-medicines/859.printerview.html
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Nasal Sprays: How to Use Them Correctly(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/allergies/treatment/104.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/allergies/treatment/104.printerview.html
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Nasal Wash Treatment(National Jewish Health) - http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/treatments/alt-ther/nasal-wash.aspx
Also available in Spanish http://www.nationaljewish.org/spanish/Nasal-Wash-Trtmnt-Spnsh.aspx
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Allergens and Irritants(National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/allergens.cfm
- Allergy Proof Your House(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/allergy/HQ01514/METHOD=print
- Environmental Control Measures(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/environ_control.html
- Prevention(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&cont=82
- Alternative Therapies(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=19&cont=254
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Allergies: Things You Can Do to Control Your Symptoms(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/allergies/basics/083.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/allergies/basics/083.printerview.html
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How to Help Your Allergies and Asthma
(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - Links to PDF - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/easy_reader/help.pdf
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/easy_reader/help_spanish.pdf
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Allergic Conjunctivitis(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/allergies/basics/678.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/allergies/basics/678.printerview.html
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Allergic Skin Conditions(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/allergicskinconditions.stm
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/espanol/tips/condiciones_de_la_piel.stm
- Allergies and Hay Fever(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/allergies.html
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Allergies to House Dust Mites
(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/allergiestodustmites/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/allergiestodustmitesspanish/htm/index.htm -
Anaphylaxis(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/allergies/basics/809.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/allergies/basics/809.printerview.html
- Anaphylaxis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/anaphylaxis/DS00009/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Chemical Sensitivities(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=20&cont=282
- Cockroach Allergy(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=22&cont=312
- Drug Rash (Unclassified Drug Eruption) in Adults(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/drugEruption.htm
- Dust Mite Allergy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/dust-mites/DS00842/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- JAMA Patient Page: Aspirin Sensitivity(American Medical Association) - http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/292/24/3098.pdf
- Mold Allergy(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=16&cont=58
- Nickel Allergy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/nickel-allergy/DS00826/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Penicillin Allergy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/penicillin-allergy/DS00620/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Pet Allergy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/pet-allergy/DS00859/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Poison Plants(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=19&cont=265
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Rhinitis(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/rhinitis.stm
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/espanol/tips/rinitis.stm
- Semen Allergy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/semen-allergy/AN01225/METHOD=print
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Stinging Insect Allergy(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/stinginginsect.stm
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/espanol/tips/alergia_a_las_picadaduras_de_insectos.stm
- Sun Allergy (Photosensitivity)(InteliHealth) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10710.html
- Allergic Diseases and Cognitive Impairment(American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology) - http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/cogn.htm
- Double Trouble: The Link Between Allergies and Asthma(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/allergies-and-asthma/AA00045/METHOD=print
- Exercising with Allergies and Asthma(American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology) - http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZAI8M1W8C&sub_cat=0
- Gardening with Allergies(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=19&cont=470
- Home Remodeling and Allergies(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=18&cont=231
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Is It a Cold or an Allergy?(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) - Links to PDF - http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/allergicDiseases/PDF/ColdAllergy.pdf
Also available in Spanish http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/allergicDiseases/PDF/ColdAllergySpan.pdf
- Planning a Move(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=16&cont=64
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Role of the Allergist/Immunologist(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/roleoftheallergist.stm
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/espanol/tips/el_papel_del_especialista_en_alergias_o_inmunologo.stm
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Traveling with Allergies and Asthma(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/travelingwithallergies.stm
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/espanol/tips/viajar_con_alergias_y_asma.stm
- When Should I See an Allergist?(American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology) - http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZFSURM09C&sub_cat=0
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Allergies to House Dust Mites(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/allergiestodustmites/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/allergiestodustmitesspanish/htm/index.htm
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Immune System(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) - http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immuneSystem/
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Understanding Cancer Series: The Immune System(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingcancer/immunesystem
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/cancer/entendiendo/sistema-inmunologico
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Anaphylaxis(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Anaphylaxis%22
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Hypersensitivity(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Hypersensitivity%22
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Scientists Discover Genetic Profile of an Often-Misdiagnosed Chronic Allergic Disease of Children(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) - http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2006/ee.htm
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ALA Study Finds No Evidence of Depression or Suicide Linked to Asthma and Allergy Drug Montelukast(American Lung Association) - http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=34893&ct=5864263¬oc=1
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Study Finds Determinant of Allergic Reaction Anaphylaxis(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/allergic_reaction.asp
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Safety of drug eluting stents: current concerns and controversies. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18690970&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: The potential of selected prostanoid receptors as targets in a... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18690966&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: The potential direct impacts on human health resulting from the... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18670468&tool=MedlinePlus
- Allergy -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=hypersensitivity[majr:noexp]+NOT+(urticaria[mh]+OR+asthma[mh])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Drug allergy -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=drug+hypersensitivity[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Allergy-Immunology Glossary(American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology) - http://www.acaai.org/public/glossary/
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Find an Allergist: Search(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/physref/
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/physref/?espanol=yes
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology - http://www.aaaai.org/
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - http://www.aafa.org/
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National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/
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National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/community/espanol/
- Americans with Disabilities Act(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=19&cont=255
- FASTATS: Allergies/Hay Fever(National Center for Health Statistics) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/allergies.htm
- Pollen & Mold Counts(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/nab/index.cfm?p=pollen
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All about Allergies(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/allergies/allergy.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/medicos/allergy_esp.html
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Allergy Shots(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/allergies/shots.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/general/shots_esp.html
- Allergy Testing for Children(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=19&cont=253
- Drug Rash (Unclassified Drug Eruption) in Children(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/child/drugEruptionPediatric.htm
- Learning about Allergies(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/asthma_basics/related/allergies.html
- Preparing for School with Allergies and Asthma(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/topicofthemonth/0805/
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Prevention of Allergies and Asthma in Children(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/preventioninchildren.stm
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/espanol/tips/prevencion_de_alergias_y_asma_en_los_ninos.stm
- What Is a Pediatric Allergist / Immunologist?(American Academy of Pediatrics) - Links to PDF - http://www.aap.org/sections/allergy/PDF/HE3015.pdf
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Allergies(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/allergies_immune/allergies.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/enfermedades/allergies_esp.html
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Do Allergies Cause Asthma?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/managing_asthma/triggers/allergies_asthma.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/enfermedades/allergies_asthma_esp.html
- When Pregnancy Is Complicated by Allergies and Asthma(American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology) - http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/pregn.htm
- Asthma - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthma.html
- Food Allergy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/foodallergy.html
- Hay Fever - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hayfever.html
- Hives - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hives.html
- Indoor Air Pollution - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/indoorairpollution.html
- Latex Allergy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/latexallergy.html
- Sinusitis - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sinusitis.html
- Ear, Nose and Throat - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/earnoseandthroat.html
- Immune System - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/immunesystem.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Allergy is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - http://www.niaid.nih.gov/
Allergy - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/allergy.html