| allergy testing | <investigation> A common method of screening a patient for potential allergies. May be given as a patch or a skin test (injection). (27 Sep 1997) |
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| atopic allergy | <immunology> An allergic reaction with strong family tendencies. (09 Oct 1997) |
| bacterial allergy | The concept that the atopic kind of type I allergic reactions may be caused by bacterial allergens, the delayed type of skin test, so-called because of its early association with bacterial antigens (e.g., the tuberculin test). (05 Mar 2000) |
| physical allergy | Excessive response to factors in the environment such as heat or cold. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold allergy | Physical symptoms produced by hypersensitivity to cold. (05 Mar 2000) |
| contact allergy | A delayed type IV allergic reaction of the skin with varying degrees of erythema, oedema, and vesiculation resulting from cutaneous contact with a specific allergen. Synonym: contact allergy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| polyvalent allergy | Allergic response manifested simultaneously for several or numerous specific allergens. (05 Mar 2000) |
| shots, allergy | Known medically as allergy desensitization or allergy immunotherapy, the injections are designed to stimulate the immune system with gradually increasing doses of the substances to which a person is allergic, the aim being to modify or stop the allergy war (by reducing its effect on the mast cells). This form ofhe strength of the IgE and its treatment is very effective for allergies to pollen, mites, cats, and especially stinging insects (e.g., bees, hornets, yellowjackets, wasps, velvet ants, fire ants). Allergy immunotherapy usually takes 6 months to a year to become effective and injections are usually required for 3-5 years. (12 Dec 1998) |
| skin test for allergy | Test done on the skin to identify the allergy substance (allergen) triggering the allergic reaction. A small amount of the suspected allergy substance is placed on the skin. The skin is then gently scratched through the small drop with a special sterile needle. If the skin reddens and, more importantly, swells, then allergy to that substance is probable. (12 Dec 1998) |
| delayed allergy | A type IV allergic reaction; so called because in a sensitised subject the reaction becomes evident hours after contact with the allergen (antigen), reaches its peak after 36 to 48 hours, then recedes slowly. Associated with cell-mediated responses. See: delayed reaction. Compare: immediate allergy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| desensitization, allergy | Stimulation of the immune system with gradually increasing doses of the substances to which a person is allergic, the aim being to modify or stop the allergy war (by reducing the strength of the IgE and its effect on the mast cells). This form of treatment is very effective for allergies to pollen, mites, cats, and especially stinging insects (e.g., bees, hornets, yellowjackets, wasps, velvet ants, fire ants). Allergy immunotherapy usually takes 6 months to a year to become effective and shots (injections) are usually required for 3-5 years. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug allergy | Sensitivity (hypersensitivity) to a drug or other chemical. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immediate allergy | A type I allergic reaction; so called because in a sensitised subject the reaction becomes evident usually within minutes after contact with the allergen (antigen), reaches its peak within an hour or so, then rapidly recedes. See: immediate reaction, anaphylaxis. Compare: delayed allergy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immunotherapy, allergy | Stimulation of the immune system with gradually increasing doses of the substances to which a person is allergic, the aim being to modify or stop the allergy war (by reducing the strength of the IgE and its effect on the mast cells). This form of treatment is very effective for allergies to pollen, mites, cats, and especially stinging insects (e.g., bees, hornets, yellow jackets, wasps, velvet ants, fire ants). Allergy immunotherapy usually takes 6 months to a year to become effective and shots (injections) are usually required for 3-5 years. (12 Dec 1998) |
| insulin allergy | When a person's body has an allergic or bad reaction to taking insulin made from pork or beef or from bacteria, or because the insulin is not exactly the same as human insulin or because it has impurities. The allergy can be of two forms. Sometimes an area of skin becomes red and itchy around the place where the insulin is injected. This is called a local allergy. In another form, a person's whole body can have a bad reaction. This is called a systemic allergy. The person can have hives or red patches all over the body or may feel changes in the heart rate and in the rate of breathing. A doctor may treat this allergy by prescribing purified insulins or by desensitisation. See: desensitisation. (09 Oct 1997) |