National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Allergy is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Allergy
Also called: Hypersensitivity
An allergy is a reaction by your immune system to something that does not bother most other people. People who have allergies often are sensitive to more than one thing. Substances that often cause reactions are
Normally, your immune system fights germs. It is your body's defense system. In most allergic reactions, however, it is responding to a false alarm. Genes and the environment probably both play a role.
Allergies can cause a variety of symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling, or asthma. Allergies can range from minor to severe. Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction that can be life-threatening. Doctors use skin and blood tests to diagnose allergies. Treatments include medicines, allergy shots, and avoiding the substances that cause the reactions.
NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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Start Here
- Allergic Reactions(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Also available in Spanish
- Allergies(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
The top row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Basics
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Learn More
, and
Multimedia & Cool Tools
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For group Basics
For group Learn More
For group Multimedia & Cool Tools
The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Research
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Reference Shelf
, and
For You
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For group Research
For group Reference Shelf
For group For You
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Overviews
- Allergy(National Jewish Health)
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Latest News
- Study: Pollen Allergies May Raise Risk for Blood Cancers in Women(12/04/2013, HealthDay)
- Nasal Allergies, Hay Fever Tied to More Migraines in Study(11/26/2013, HealthDay)
- Certain Allergies Plus Blood Pressure Meds Could Be Bad Mix(11/08/2013, HealthDay)
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Preventing Allergies
(11/08/2013, HealthDay)
- More News on Allergy
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Allergy Blood Testing(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- Allergy Skin Tests(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Allergy Testing(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Also available in Spanish
- Allergy Tests: When You Need Them and When You Don't(ABIM Foundation)
- Cold or Allergies: Which Is It? (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation)
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Is It a Cold or an Allergy?
(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) - PDF - In English and Spanish
- Also available in Spanish
- Is It a Cold, Allergy, or Sinusitis?(American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery) - PDF
- White Blood Cell Differential Count(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
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Treatment
- Allergic Rhinitis: Antihistamines(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
- Allergy Medications: Know Your Options(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Allergy Shots and Allergy Drops for Adults and Children(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
- Allergy Shots: Could They Help Your Allergies?(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
- Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction): First Aid(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Antihistamine Drugs(Consumers Union of U.S.) - PDF
- Also available in Spanish
- Decongestants: OTC Relief for Congestion(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
- Itching for Allergy Relief?(Food and Drug Administration)
- Nasal Wash Treatment(National Jewish Health)
- Also available in Spanish
- Return to top
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Prevention/Screening
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Allergens and Irritants
- Allergy Proof Your House(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Environmental Control Measures (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation)
- Trigger Avoidance in Allergic Rhinitis (Beyond the Basics)(UpToDate)
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Allergens and Irritants
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Alternative Therapy
- Alternative Therapies(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
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Butterbur
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Time to Talk: 5 Things to Know about Complementary Health Approaches for Seasonal Allergy Relief
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Specific Conditions
- Allergic Skin Conditions(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Also available in Spanish
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Allergies to House Dust Mites
(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Anaphylaxis(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
- Anaphylaxis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Chemical Sensitivities(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
- Cockroach Allergy(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
- Dust Mite Allergy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Mold Allergy(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
- Nickel Allergy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Outdoor Allergens: Tips to Remember(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Also available in Spanish
- Pet Allergy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Physical Allergy(Merck & Co., Inc.)
- Semen Allergy: A Cause of Infertility?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Stinging Insect Allergy: Tips to Remember(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Also available in Spanish
- Sun Allergy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Two Cents about Nickel(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - PDF
- Also available in Spanish
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Related Issues
- Allergies and Asthma: They Often Occur Together(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Allergy Capitals(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
- Allergy Meds Could Affect Your Driving(Food and Drug Administration)
- Colds, Allergies and Sinusitis - How to Tell the Difference(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - PDF
- Dark Circles under Eyes(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Feel Better. Live Better. See an Allergist / Immunologist(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Also available in Spanish
- Home Remodeling(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
- Planning a Move(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
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Health Check Tools
- Anaphylaxis Quiz(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Pet Allergy Quiz(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Return to top
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Tutorials
- Allergies to House Dust Mites(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Camping with Allergies and Asthma(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Virtual Allergist(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Return to top
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Videos
- Allergies - Encyclopedia
- Also available in Spanish
- If I Had - A Runny Nose(Insidermedicine)
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Anatomy/Physiology
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Immune System
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Understanding Cancer Series: The Immune System
- Return to top
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Immune System
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Anaphylaxis
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Hypersensitivity
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Anaphylaxis
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Research
- Effects of Acupuncture on Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis(American College of Physicians) - PDF
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Seasonal Allergies at a Glance: What the Science Says
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Dictionaries/Glossaries
- Glossary of Allergy Terms(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
- Glossary of Terms - Mold and Moisture(Environmental Protection Agency)
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Directories
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Allergic Diseases Related Links
- Find an Allergist/Immunologist(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
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Allergic Diseases Related Links
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Organizations
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Newsletters/Print Publications
- Allergy and Asthma Health Magazine(American Association for Respiratory Care)
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Law and Policy
- Americans with Disabilities Act(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
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Statistics
- FastStats: Allergies/Hay Fever(National Center for Health Statistics)
- NAB (National Allergy Bureau): Pollen Counts(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Trends in Allergic Conditions among Children: United States, 1997-2011(National Center for Health Statistics)
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MedlinePlus Magazine
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Children
- All about Allergies (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
- Allergy Relief for Your Child(Food and Drug Administration)
- Allergy Shots (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
- Allergy Testing for Children(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
- Five Ways to Prepare for an Allergy Emergency (For Parents)(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
- Learning about Allergies(Nemours Foundation)
- Prevention of Allergies and Asthma in Children(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Also available in Spanish
- What Is a Pediatric Allergist / Immunologist?(American Academy of Pediatrics)
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Teenagers
- Allergies(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
- Do Allergies Cause Asthma?(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
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Patient Handouts
- Allergic reactions
- Also available in Spanish
- Allergic rhinitis - self-care
- Also available in Spanish
- Allergies
- Also available in Spanish
- Allergies, asthma, and dust
- Also available in Spanish
- Allergies, asthma, and molds
- Also available in Spanish
- Allergies, asthma, and pollen
- Also available in Spanish
- Allergy testing
- Also available in Spanish
- Anaphylaxis
- Also available in Spanish
- Angioedema
- Also available in Spanish
- Antihistamines for allergies
- Also available in Spanish
- Nasal congestion
- Also available in Spanish
- Nasal discharge
- Also available in Spanish
- Return to top
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Allergy - Multiple Languages