Allergies

Allergy is an abnormal reaction to a substance foreign to the body that is acquired, predictable and rapid. In the strict sense of its meaning, it is the first (type 1) of five forms of hypersensitivity described by Gell and Coombs in their 1963 classification.[1] However, by extension, the term "allergy" is often used for other abnormal reactions to substances. The term was coined by the Viennese pediatrician Clemens von Pirquet in 1906 after noting that some of his patients were hypersensitive to normally innocuous entities such as dust, pollen, or certain foods.[2] Pirquet called this phenomenon "allergy", from the Greek words allos meaning "other" and ergon meaning "work".[3]

Type I hypersensitivity is characterized by excessive activation of mast cells and basophils by IgE, resulting in a systemic inflammatory response that can result in symptoms as benign as a runny nose, to life-threatening anaphylactic shock and death.

Threatment

Knowing any allergies that a patient may have is important in a clinical setting. Full allergy history is taken down when obtaining a medical history of a patient. This ensures that no contradictory treatments are prescribed to the danger of the patient. In the United States physicians who hold certification by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) have successfully completed an accredited educational program and an evaluation process, including a secure, proctored examination to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and experience to the provision of patient care in allergy and immunology

In the United States, an allergist-immunologist is a physician specially trained to manage and treat asthma and the other allergic diseases. Becoming an allergist-immunologist requires completion of at least nine years of training. After completing medical school and graduating with a medical degree, a physician will then undergo three years of training in internal medicine (to become an internist) or pediatrics (to become a pediatrician). Once physicians have finished training in one of these specialties, they must pass the exam of either the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Internists or pediatricians who wish to focus on the sub-specialty of allergy-immunology then complete at least an additional two years of study, called a fellowship, in an allergy-immunology training program. Allergist-immunologists who are listed as ABAI-certified have successfully passed the certifying examination of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI), following their

There have been enormous improvements in mainstream medical treatments developed by allergists. Recently, advances in anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity reactions to foods, drugs, and insects and in allergic skin disease include: the identification of food proteins to which IgE binding is associated with severe reactions, improvements in skin prick test predictions; evaluation of the atopy patch test; and advances in yellow jacket sting outcomes predictions and a rapidly disintegrating epinephrine tablet and development of low-allergen foods, and anti-IL-5 for eosinophilic diseases.

Traditionally treatment and management of allergies revolved around simply avoiding the allergen in question or otherwise reducing exposure to said allegern. For instance, people with cat allergies were encouraged not to own cats and to avoid them as best as possible. While this had some effectiveness in reducing symptoms and avoiding life-threatening anaphylaxis for some, it was not always possible for those with pollen or similar air-borne allergies. For most allergies it is simply easier to reduce exposure rather than avoiding the allergens altogether. Strict avoidance still has a role in management though and is often used in managing food allergies.

Allergies Medications

		Allegra (FEXOFENADINE) Generic Allegra (FEXOFENADINE) is an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies such as runny or itchy nose; sneezing; itchy...			Zyrtec (CETIRIZINE) Generic Zyrtec (CETIRIZINE) is an antihistamine used to treat both seasonal and perennial allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose...
		Prednisone (Prednisolone) Prednisone (Prednisolone) is used for treating severe allergies, arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, and skin conditions. It may also be used...			Claritin (LORATADINE) Claritin (LORATADINE) is used for relieving symptoms of seasonal allergies such as runny nose; sneezing; itchy, watery eyes; or itching of the nose...
		Astelin (AZELASTINE) Astelin (AZELASTINE ) is used to relieve symptoms related to seasonal allergies.			Atarax (HYDROXYZINE) Atarax (HYDROXYZINE) is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative properties that is used to treat allergic reactions.
		Clarinex (DESLORATADINE) Clarinex (DESLORATADINE) is an antihistamine that provides relief of seasonal allergy symptoms and allergic nasal conditions (rhinitis) such as...			Periactin (CYPROHEPTADINE) Periactin (CYPROHEPTADINE) is a piperidine antihistamine. Unlike other antihistamines, this drug also antagonizes serotonin receptors. This action...
		Phenergan (PROMETHAZINE ORAL) Phenergan (PROMETHAZINE ORAL) is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body.