atopic allergy

at·o·py

(at'ō-pē),

A genetically determined state of hypersensitivity to environmental allergens. Type I allergic reaction is associated with the IgE antibody and a group of diseases, principally asthma, hay fever, and atopic dermatitis.

[G. atopia, strangeness, fr. a- priv. + topos, a place]

atopic allergy

Etymology: Gk, a, not, topos, place

a form of allergy that afflicts persons with a genetic predisposition to hypersensitivity to certain allergens. Examples include asthma, hay fever, and food allergies.

at·o·py

(at'ŏ-pē)

A genetically determined state of hypersensitivity to environmental allergens. Type I allergic reaction is associated with the IgE antibody and a group of diseases, principally asthma, hay fever, and atopic dermatitis.

[G. atopia, strangeness, fr. a- priv. + topos, a place]

allergy

an altered reactivity following second or subsequent exposure to antigen (allergen). See also hypersensitivity, allergic.

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atopic allergy

hereditary predisposition to develop certain allergies. See atopy.

bacterial allergy

a specific hypersensitivity to a particular bacterial antigen, e.g. Mycobacterium tuberculosis; it is dependent on previous infection with the specific organism.

bronchial allergy

asthma.

cold allergy

a condition manifested by local and systemic reactions, mediated by histamine, which is released from mast cells and basophils as a result of exposure to cold.

delayed allergy

see delayed hypersensitivity.

drug allergy

see drug allergy.

drying-off allergy

see milk allergy (below).

food allergy

called also gastrointestinal allergy; see food hypersensitivity.

gastrointestinal allergy

see food allergy (above).

hereditary allergy

an allergy with a hereditary predisposition. The tendency to develop some forms of allergy is inherited, but the specific clinical form is not. IgE, formerly called reagin or reaginic antibody, may be involved. See also atopy.

induced allergy

allergy resulting from the injection of an antigen, contact with an antigen, or infection with a microorganism, as contrasted with hereditary allergy.

inhaled allergy

see atopy.

milk allergy

a hypersensitivity to the milk protein, α-casein. Signs, varying from urticaria to anaphylaxis, have occurred in Jersey cows when milk escapes from the udder into the bloodstream during the drying off period.

physical allergy

a condition in which physical agents, such as heat, cold or light, trigger an allergic response.