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Media Resources: Media KitGlossary Airway obstruction—A narrowing, clogging or blocking of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. Allergen—A foreign substance that leads to allergies by triggering an immune response. Allergic contact dermatitis—A type of rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain substances that come in contact with the skin. Allergic reaction—An adverse immune response following repeated contact with otherwise harmless substances such as pollen, animal dander, dust, mold spores, foods or drugs. Allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial)—Inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes due to an allergic response. Allergist—A physician who has completed medical school, post graduate training sufficient to qualify as a pediatrician or an internist, and who has completed at least a two year fellowship in the subspecialty of allergy/immunology. Allergy—A reaction of the immune system of an allergic person to substances that are harmless to most people. Anaphylaxis—A medical emergency which involves an acute systemic (affecting the entire body) allergic reaction. It occurs after exposure to an allergen to which a person was previously sensitized. Angioedema—A non-itching reaction in the skin’s underlying tissue marked by swelling and red blotches. Antibody—A protein (also called an immunoglobulin) that is manufactured by plasma cells (a type of white blood cell) to neutralize an allergen. When the body forms a type of antibody called IgE (immunoglobulin E), an allergic response may result when the person is again exposed to the allergen which caused the IgE antibody formation. Antigen—A substance, also called an allergen, that can trigger an immune response, resulting in production of an antibody as part of the body’s defense against infection and disease. Many antigens are foreign proteins (those not found naturally in the body). Antihistamines—A group of medications that block the effects of histamine, a chemical released in body fluids during an allergic reaction. Antihistamines reduce itching, sneezing and runny nose. Anti-inflammatory—Reduces the symptoms and signs of inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medications include inhalers and steroid creams. Although not a drug, immunotherapy ("allergy shots") reduces inflammation in both allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. Asthma—A chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterized by recurrent breathing problems. Episodes of asthma can be triggered by allergens, infection, exercise, cold air and other factors. Atopic dermatitis—A skin condition, also known as eczema, characterized by extreme itching, lesions, scaling and flaking. Basophil—A white blood cell; although basophils and mast cells are not identical, they are very similar and the terms are often used interchangeably. Board certification—The American Board of Allergy and Immunology is a conjoint board of the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Internal Medicine. Physicians who have met the training requirements and have passed the certification exams are considered board-certified. Bronchitis—An inflammation of the bronchi (lung airways), resulting in persistent cough. Bronchitis is more common in smokers and in areas with high atmospheric pollution. Bronchodilator medication—A group of drugs that widen the airways in the lungs. Bronchospasm—Tightening of the muscles surrounding the bronchial tubes. Cilia—Hair-like projections in the mucous membrane of the nose and bronchial tubes that help nasal passages remain clear. Contact dermatitis—A reaction which occurs after skin comes in contact with certain substances. The reaction may be an immunologic response or a direct toxic effect of the substance. Corticosteroid drugs—A group of anti-inflammatory drugs similar to the natural corticosteroid hormones produced by the cortex of the adrenal glands. Among the disorders that often improve with corticosteroid treatment are asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema and rheumatoid arthritis. Cytokines—A diverse group of protein molecules released by cells in response to activation or injury. Dander—Small scales from animal skin; dander is a common allergen. Eczema—An inflammation of the skin, usually causing itching and sometimes accompanied by crusting, scaling or blisters. A type of eczema often made worse by allergen exposure is termed "atopic dermatitis." Elimination diet—A restricted diet in which foods suspected of causing allergic reactions are introduced one at a time so that the offending one can be identified. Eosinophil—A type of white blood cell important in modulating immune responses. High levels of these cells signal the presence of asthma or an ongoing allergic reaction. Epinephrine—A naturally occurring hormone, also called adrenaline. It is one of two chemicals (the other is norepinephrine) released by the adrenal gland medulla. Epinephrine increases the speed and force of heart beats, dilates the airways to improve breathing, and narrows blood vessels in the skin and intestines to increase blood flow to the muscles. Epinephrine has been produced synthetically as a drug since 1900 and is the drug of choice for treatment of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions). Food challenge test—A medical procedure also known as provocative testing. It is used to identify those food substances to which a person is sensitive to by exposing a patient to diluted amounts until allergic symptoms are provoked. Hay fever—Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose due to an allergic response; also known as allergic rhinitis. Histamine—A chemical present in cells throughout the body that is released during an allergic reaction. It is one of the substances responsible for the symptoms of inflammation and is the major cause of a runny nose, sneezing and itching in allergic rhinitis. It also stimulates production of acid by the stomach and narrows the bronchi or airways in the lungs. Histamine blocking agents—Drugs which impede the stimulation of cells by histamine. These agents act by interfering with the action of histamine rather than by preventing its secretion. Hives—See Urticaria. Hypersensitivity—A condition in a person previously exposed to a particular antigen where tissue damage results from an immune reaction to a further dose of that antigen. Immune system—A collection of cells and proteins that works to protect the body from potentially harmful, infectious microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. The immune system plays a role in the control of cancer and other diseases, but also is the culprit in allergies, hypersensitivity, immunologic diseases, and the rejection of transplanted organs, tissues and medical implants. Immunoglobulin—Also known as antibodies, these proteins are found in blood and in tissue fluids. Immunoglobulin are produced by cells of the immune system called B-lymphocytes. Their function is to bind to substances in the body that are recognized as foreign antigens (often proteins on the surface of bacteria and viruses). This binding is a crucial event in the destruction of the microorganisms that bear the antigens. Immunoglobulin also plays a central role in allergies when they bind to antigens that are not necessarily a threat to health and provoke an inflammatory reaction. Immunoglobulin E (IgE)—A class of antibody normally present in very low levels in humans but found in larger quantities in people with allergies and certain infections. It is the primary antibody responsible for the classic allergic reaction. Immunotherapy ("allergy shots or vaccinations")—A form of preventive and anti-inflammatory treatment of allergy to substances such as pollen, house dust mites, fungi and stinging insect venom. It involves administering gradually increasing doses of the substance (allergen) to which the person is allergic. The incremental increases of the allergen cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the substance, which reduces the symptoms of allergy when the substances are encountered in the future. Inflammation—Redness, swelling, heat and pain in body tissue due to chemical or physical injury or to infection. It is a characteristic of allergic reactions in the nose, eyes, lungs and skin. Leukotrienes—A group of chemical mediators of inflammation that stimulate the constriction of smooth muscle in the bronchioles. Lymphocyte—Any of a group of white blood cells of crucial importance to the adaptive part of the body’s immune system. The adaptive portion of the immune system mounts a tailor-made defense when dangerous invading organisms penetrate the body’s general defenses. Mast cells—Cells that play an important role in the body’s allergic response. They are present in most body tissues, but are particularly numerous in connective tissue, such as the dermis (innermost layer of skin.) In an allergic response, an allergen stimulates the release of antibodies, which attach themselves to mast cells. Following subsequent allergen exposure, the mast cells release substances such as histamine (a chemical responsible for allergic symptoms) into the tissue. Mediators of inflammation—Chemical substances that attract or activate other cells or chemicals in the immune response of allergy. Nebulizer—A device that delivers asthma medications in a fine mist, through a mask, T-tube or mouthpiece. Nebulizers aid those who have difficulty with metered dose inhalers, such as infants and senior citizens, in effectively receiving medication. Occupational asthma—A respiratory disorder directly related to inhaling fumes, gases, dust or other potentially harmful substances while "on the job." With occupational asthma, symptoms of asthma may develop for the first time in a previously healthy worker, or pre-existing asthma may be aggravated by exposures within the work place. Otitis media—An inflammation of the middle ear (also called ear ache), commonly found in infants and children with allergic rhinitis. Patch tests—A form of skin testing in which suspected allergens are applied to the skin, covered and observed for several days to see if a reaction occurs. This is often used in identifying the possible causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Pollen—Male fertilizing agent of flowering plants, trees, grasses and weeds. Pollen is a central cause of many allergic reactions. Radioallergosorbent Test (RAST)—A laboratory blood test used to detect IgE antibodies to specific allergens. Respiratory system—The group of organs responsible for carrying oxygen from the air to the bloodstream and for expelling the waste product carbon dioxide. Rhinitis—An inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the nose, often due to an allergy to pollen, dust or other airborne substances. Seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as "hay fever," is a disorder which causes sneezing, itching, a runny nose and nasal congestion. Non-allergic rhinitis is triggered by certain factors, such as strong smells, pollution, particulate matter in the air, smoke or other irritants. Rhinitis medicamentosa—A form of non-allergic rhinitis caused by the prolonged use of decongestant nose drops and sprays. Sensitization—Repeated exposure to a foreign substance (antigen) that results in IgE production and makes the patient susceptible to an allergic reaction. Sinuses—Air cavities within the facial bones. They are lined by mucous membranes similar to those in other parts of the airways. Sinusitis—An acute or chronic inflammation of the membrane lining the facial sinuses, often caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Skin testing—A tiny amount of allergen is scratched across or lightly pricked into the skin. If a person has an allergy, the specific allergens that person is allergic to will cause swelling, itching and a small dime-sized hive to form at the test site within minutes. Spores—The reproductive cells of certain organisms and plants, including mold. Urticaria—An allergic reaction of the skin or a skin condition commonly known as hives, characterized by the development of itchy, raised white bumps surrounded by an area of red inflammation. |
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