Atopy

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Atopy

Atopy (/ˈætəpi/; from the Greek atopos, meaning "out of place") is a predisposition toward developing certain allergic hypersensitivity reactions. Atopy may include allergies to inhaled substances such as dust mites (atopic asthma) and pollen (hay fever), as well as food allergies and eczema.

Etymology

The term "atopy" was coined in 1923 by Coca and Cooke, from the Greek atopos meaning "out of place". This was in reference to the unusual reactions of the immune system in people with atopy, which seemed to be "out of place" or abnormal.

Pronunciation

Atopy is pronounced as /ˈætəpi/.

Related Terms

  • Allergy: A hypersensitivity reaction to a particular allergen; symptoms can vary greatly in intensity.
  • Eczema: A condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked. It is a long-term, or chronic, condition.
  • Asthma: A condition in which a person's airways become inflamed, narrow and swell, and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe.
  • Hay Fever: An allergic response to pollen, dust mites, or other allergens that cause cold-like symptoms.
  • Dust Mites: Tiny microscopic relatives of the spider that live on mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets and curtains.
  • Food Allergies: An abnormal immune response to food. The symptoms may range from mild to severe. They may include itchiness, swelling of the tongue, vomiting, diarrhea, hives, trouble breathing, or low blood pressure.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski