Allergy/Immunology

An allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system. It is an immunologically mediated reaction to a foreign antigen, resulting in abnormally intense immune responses, which cause tissue inflammation and organ dysfunction.Common allergic reactions include eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma attacks, food allergies, and reactions to the venom of stinging insects. Allergy sufferers are estimated to number around 60 to 70 million in the United States, with hay fever being the most common.

Allergies can be classified as seasonal, perennial and food allergies. Seasonal allergies are mainly confined to the outdoors and are caused by blooming trees (spring), grass (summer), and weeds (fall), whereas perennial allergies occur throughout the year and are triggered by indoor activities arising from dust and mold. Common food allergies include reactions to peanuts, shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, wheat and soybeans.