Allergy-Also called: Also called: Hypersensitivity

More information at the National Institutes of Health URL for this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/allergy.html

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
Start Here

    * Airborne Allergens: Something in the AirFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) - Large PDF file - http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/allergicDiseases/PDF/airborne_allergens.pdf
    * 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
    * 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

Overviews

    * Frequently Asked Questions about Allergies(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/nab/index.cfm?p=faq

Latest News

    * Special Infant Formulas Cut Long-Term Allergy Risk(07/10/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_66783.html
    * Childhood Asthma, Allergies Traced to Womb(05/21/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_64883.html
    * Cheaper Earrings More Likely to Contain Nickel(05/17/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_64725.html

Diagnosis/Symptoms

    * 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
    * 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

Treatment

    * 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
    * 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
    * 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
    * 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
    * 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
    * 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
    * 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

Prevention/Screening

    * Allergens and IrritantsFrom the National Institutes of Health(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 Therapy

    * Alternative Therapies(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9⊂=19&cont=254

Disease Management

    * 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
    * How to Help Your Allergies and AsthmaEasy-to-Read(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

Specific Conditions

    * 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
    * 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
    * Allergies to House Dust MitesInteractive Tutorial(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⊂=20&cont=282
    * Cockroach Allergy(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9⊂=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⊂=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⊂=19&cont=265
    * 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
    * 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

Related Issues

    * 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⊂=19&cont=470
    * Home Remodeling and Allergies(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9⊂=18&cont=231
    * Is It a Cold or an Allergy?From the National Institutes of Health(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⊂=16&cont=64
    * 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
    * 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



Organizations

    * American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology - http://www.aaaai.org/
    * Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - http://www.aafa.org/
    * National Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesFrom the National Institutes of Health - http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/
    * National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesFrom the National Institutes of Health - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/
      Also available in Spanish http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/community/espanol/

Law and Policy

    * Americans with Disabilities Act(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9⊂=19&cont=255

Statistics

    * 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

Children

    * 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
    * 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⊂=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/
    * 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

Teenagers

    * 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
    * 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

Women

    * When Pregnancy Is Complicated by Allergies and Asthma(American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology) - http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/pregn.htm

You may also be interested in these MedlinePlus related pages:

    * 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

Date last updated: August 01 2008
Topic last reviewed: July 20 2008