What are the atopic diseases?
The atopic diseases (eczema, asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis) are clinical syndromes each defined by a group of symptoms and signs. Not all children with atopy will have atopic disease or develop symptoms after exposure to an allergen. Both genetic and environmental factors determine the development of atopic disease.
What does atopy mean?
Atopy refers to the genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Atopy is typically associated with heightened immune responses to common allergens, especially inhaled allergens and food allergens.
What is atopy in hypersensitivity?
Atopy is a problem with your immune system that makes you more likely to develop allergic diseases. Your genes cause this problem. When you have atopy, your immune system is more sensitive to common allergic triggers that you breathe in or eat.
What are the most common manifestation of atopy?
Allergic bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis are the most frequent manifestations of atopy, followed by atopic dermatitis and food allergy. Other diseases described as atopic include allergic conjunctivitis, IgE-mediated drug allergy, urticaria and angioedema, and anaphylactic shock.
What is the most common atopic disorder?
Atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease of the skin that leads to itching and risks for skin infection. It is the most common skin disease in children: about 10% to 20% of children in the United States and Western Europe have atopic dermatitis.
What is atopic disease in adults?
Atopic disease was defined as reported doctor-diagnosed allergic rhinitis and/or dermatitis and/or asthma. In addition, serum concentrations of allergen-specific IgE antibodies were used as indicators of atopy.
What are the causes of atopy?
Common triggers include: irritants – such as soaps and detergents, including shampoo, washing-up liquid and bubble bath. environmental factors or allergens – such as cold and dry weather, dampness, and more specific things such as house dust mites, pet fur, pollen and moulds.
Why is atopy increasing?
It thus seems likely that atopy is a “microbial deprivation disorder”. There are, however, also other factors such as dietary components, diesel exhaust particles, and environmental toxins and pollutants that may play a causative role in the increasing prevalence of allergy.
What are atopic manifestations?
Atopy is the tendency to produce an exaggerated immunoglobulin E (IgE) immune response to otherwise harmless substances in the environment. Allergic diseases are clinical manifestations of such inappropriate, atopic responses.
What are atopic symptoms?
As you will see, many of the symptoms of atopy are those that you would associate with an allergic reaction:
- Hives, welts, scaling or other signs of skin irritation.
- Itching of the eyes, nose or skin.
- Nasal congestion.
- Redness of the eyes.
- A runny nose.
- Sinus pain and/or swelling.
- Sneezing.
What causes atopic diseases?
Genetics: Genetics play a large role in developing atopic diseases; these underlying genetic risks then react to a trigger in the environment to cause the atopic illness. A family history of atopic diseases is a risk factor for children to develop these conditions.
Is atopy serious?
Atopic conditions are not typically life-threatening, but as chronic conditions, they can be bothersome to deal with. Speak with your doctor to determine whether you have any of these atopic conditions, and develop an appropriate plan for treatment to help you avoid your triggers and lead a healthier life.