Definition of Allergy

Allergy refers to the exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to body contact with certain foreign substances. Exaggerated because these foreign substances are generally regarded by the body as sessuatu that does not harm and does not occur in response to people who are not allergic. The bodies of people who are allergic to recognize foreign material and part of the immune system is activated. Allergy ingredients called "allergens." Examples of allergens include pollen, dust mites, molds, and foods. To understand the language of allergy is very important to remember that allergens are substances foreign to the body and can cause allergic reactions in certain people.


When the allergen in contact with the body, he causes the immune system to develop allergic reactions in people who are allergic to it. When you do not react according to the allergens that are generally not dangerous to other people, you have an allergic reaction and can be referred to as allergic or atopic. By karananya, people who tend to have the allergy is called allergic or atopic.

Austria pediatrician named Clemens Pirquet (1874-1929) first used the term allergy. He referred to both immunity is beneficial and harmful as an allergic hypersensitivity. The word allergy comes from the Greek words "allos," meaning different or changed and "ergos" meaning work or action. Allergies in general are referred to as "the reaction has changed". The word allergy was first used in 1905 to describe the adverse reactions of the children given repeated injections of horse serum to fight infection. The following year, the term allergy is proposed to explain the reactivity of these unexpected changes.

Allergy Facts

* It is estimated that some 50 million Americans affected by allergic conditions.
* The cost of allergies in America is more than $ 10 billion each year.
* Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies) affects about 35 million Americans, 6 million of whom are children.
* Asthma affects 15 million Americans, 5 million of whom are children.
* Figures from asthma cases doubled over the past 20 years.