The term ‚allergy’ is used to describe an exaggerated response of the immune system to substances in our environment. These substances are either inhaled (e. g. pollen, house dust, animal hair), ingested (food, drugs) or directly absorbed through skin contact.
There are various allergic reactions. The most frequent and well-known are:
- Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- Allergic asthma
- Atopic dermatitis
- Allergic contact dermatitis
Prevalence of allergic diseases:
- Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) 15 – 25 %
- Allergic asthma 5 – 15 %
- Atopic dermatitis 10 – 20 %
- Allergic contact dermatitis 6 – 10 %
What are the consequences?
With a prolonged duration of the disease, there is a high risk of a more frequent occurrence and an increased severity of symptoms in all types of allergies. An initially only rarely occurring allergic rhinitis can develop into a chronic non-allergic asthma. An allergic eczema of the hands can become chronic as well and is one of the most frequent causes of occupational disability.
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