glossary

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Acarids

Small spiders (arachnids) of which certain species can be found in household dust and particularly in bed linen.

Aeroallergen

Inhaled allergen.

Allergens

Antigenic substances capable of producing immediate type hypersensitivity (allergies)

Allergic reactions

Immunological reactions which cause allergic diseases.

Allergology

The science which studies allergies.

Anaphylaxis

General term indicating hypersensitivity (an allergic reaction by production of IgE; local or generalised, then called "anaphylactic shock" which can be severe and life threatening).

Anemophilous pollens

are the more allergenic and, because they are carried on the wind, they can travel over very long distances. This is why some people suffer from allergic reactions to the pollen of plants which do not grow in the immediate area.

Antibodies

A specific substance which appears in blood or tissues when a foreign element (antigen) enters the body (synonym: immunoglobulin).

Antihistamine

A substance which blocks the action of histamine, a chemical released in the body fluids during an allergic reaction.

Anti-leukotriene

medication that blocks chemicals called leukotrienes in the airways. Leukotrienes occur naturally in the body and cause tightening of the airway muscles and production of excess mucus and fluid.

Asthma (bronchial)

A respiratory illness characterised by dyspnoea (difficult breathing) accompanied by wheezing, coughing and other symptoms, usually triggered by allergens (infection, exercise, cold air and other factors)

Atopic

A hereditary tendency to develop allergies (allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, eczema).

Atopy

A hereditary tendency to develop allergies (allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, eczema).

Bronchial hyperreactivity

Excessive reaction of the bronchi among asthmatics.

Bronchodilator

A group of drugs that widen the airways of the lung, used in asthma.

Bronchospasm

Sudden contraction of the bronchi (one of the symptoms of bronchial asthma).

Bronchus

any of the larger air passages that connect the trachea (windpipe) to the lungs.

Congestion

Excessive accumulation of blood in the vessels of an organ or tissue.

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the conjunctive of the eye (may be connected with allergic factors).

Corticosteroid

A group of anti-inflammatory drugs similar to the natural corticosteroid hormones produced by the adrenal glands

Cromoglycate (sodium)

A type of medicine used in the prevention of allergic diseases.

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin.

Desensitisation

Treatment intended to reduce or suppress sensitivity of the body to an allergy (synonyms: hyposensitivity, immunotherapy, specific vaccination).

Dyspnoea

Hampered breathing (increased frequency and amplitude of respiratory motion together with a feeling of oppression and a sensation of anguish).

Eczema

A skin disease characterised by erythema (redness), pruritus (itching), desquamation (scaling).

Entomophilous pollens

are usually produced by plants with brightly coloured, sweet-smelling flowers (to attract insects). Because they are produced in small quantities and are carried by insects, relatively few people become allergic to entomophilous pollens compared to anemophilous pollens.

Erythema

Redness of the skin due to congestion.

Graminaceae

Family of plants including cereals whose pollens are responsible for allergies.

Graminaceous plants

Family of plants including cereals whose pollens are responsible for allergies.

Hayfever

See Rhinitis

Herbaceous

A group of plant families belonging neither to the graminaceae nor to trees (composite, Polygonaceae, Urticaceae, etc.).

Heredity

Transmission of characteristics by parents to their children (e.g. being prone to allergies).

Histamine

One of the chemical substances involved in the inflammatory reaction and which is responsible for certain allergic symptoms.

Hives

See Urticaria

Hydrotherapy

Use of the therapeutic properties of natural mineral water.

Hymenopteron

A group of insects (wasps, bees, ants).

Hypersensitivity

Excessive sensitivity to certain external factors (over-reaction by immune system causing allergic symptoms).

Hyposensitivity

See "desensitisation".

IgE

Immunoglobulins E, a family of antibodies responsible for allergic reactions.

Immunity

Resistance of the body against external factors.

Immunoglobulin

See "antibodies".

Immunotherapy

See "desensitisation".

Inflammation

Redness, swelling, heat and pain in a tissue due to chemical or physical injury, infection, or allergic reaction.

Intolerance

An abnormal reaction of the body to an "aggression" which most people would tolerate without any symptoms of illness.

Intradermal reaction

Skin test used to search for allergies.

Ketotifen

A medicine given to prevent allergies.

Mast cell stabilisers

Mast cell stabilisers are preventative agents which have no significant effect on acute symptoms. They should be used throughout exposure to the allergen for maximal effect. Several weeks’ use is usually needed before benefits are noted.

Mildew

Filamentatious microscopic fungi.

Mucus

Liquid secretion produced by the mucous glands.

New Term

New Definition

Oedema

Infiltration of liquid into tissue (seen in the skin in the form of a painless swelling).

Patch test

Skin test for diagnosing contact eczemas.

Phototherapy

Treatment of a disease with light (visible or invisible).

Pimple or papule

Lesion of the skin expressed by a small local bump.

Pollen

Male semen of plants.

Pollinosis

An allergy to pollen ("hay fever").

Prick test

Skin test used to search for an allergy.

Provocation or challenge test

A test used to reproduce the symptoms of allergic reactions in order to determine precisely the responsible allergen and assess the gravity of the symptoms.

Prurigo

Dermatosis (skin condition) characterised by an intense pruritus (itching) and together with pimples or rash.

Pruritus

Itching.

Pseudo-allergy

Reaction with symptoms like those of an allergy but with different (non-immunological) causes.

Rash

A skin eruption.

RAST

(Radioallergosorbent test) A technique for detecting IgEs antibodies specifically involved in certain allergic reactions (diagnostic test).

Rhinitis

Inflammation of the nasal mucosa, also known as "coryza".