The nose

When the target of the allergy is the nose, many symptoms that are similar to a cold are observed: the sensation of having a stuffed-up nose, a runny nose (watery discharge), an itchy nose or palate, and sneezing.

This inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which is linked to the allergy, is called allergic rhinitis.

When such allergic symptoms appear at specific times of the year, it is referred to as seasonal rhinitis and is usually caused by pollen or fungal spores. Rhinitis which persists throughout the year is referred to as perennial rhinitis and is due to sensitisation to one or more allergens which are present in the subject's environment all the time (e.g. house dust mites, animal fur or molds which grow inside houses).

It can be associated with eye irritation (allergic rhinoconjunctivitis).

Allergic rhinitis is the cause of a deteriorating quality of life (permanent discomfort in daily life, at home and at work), a drop in school performance in children and a drop in productivity at work in adults.

A Public Health problem on the global scale. [1]
Currently, 15 to 25% of the European population and 20% of the American population have allergic rhinitis.

The bronchial tubes

The inflammation of the bronchial tubes results in intense respiratory difficulty, wheezing and cough (most often at night). This inflammation leads to a contraction of the muscles controlling their opening: the passage of air is disturbed, exhalation can no longer be performed normally and breathing results in wheezing. This is called allergic asthma.

These symptoms are combined with a hypersecretion of mucus (causing the cough) and bronchial edema. Asthma attacks can range from a simple shortness of breath to serious respiratory failure requiring hospitalisation. In children, asthma may inhibit chest development and have a negative impact on both family life and life at school.

 
Some figures [2]
Currently, 5 to 15% of the European population and nearly 10% of the American population have allergic asthma.

"Asthma and allergic rhinitis are linked"

People who suffer from allergic rhinitis are three times more likely to develop asthma than a non-allergic patient.

Numerous studies have shown that these two conditions are commonly found together. Although there are differences between allergic rhinitis and asthma, both are caused by a common inflammatory process affecting the upper and lower airways.

Therefore, managing allergic rhinitis may prevent the onset of asthma.

The eyes

Allergic conjunctivitis is a condition that manifests itself through tearing, red eyes and smarting, increased sensitivity to light, and red, swollen eyelids.

Allergic conjunctivitis is often linked to allergic rhinitis – this is referred to as allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

The skin

Irritations, red patches or spots are often the symptoms of the following diseases:

• Dermatitis
• Atopic dermatitis Atopic eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) occurs very early in the life of the infant. It is characterised by epidermal induration (the skin is hard and unyielding), redness and itching, sometimes combined with edema. These patches typically appear on the face, scalp and at skin folds of joints (e.g. in the groin, the back of the knee or the armpits). Without treatment, atopic dermatitis leads to drying out of the skin.
  Proteins in cow's milk are often the cause of this form of eczema.

• Allergic contact dermatitis Allergic contact dermatitis tends to affect adults and is typified by the patchy eruption of red plaques, tiny blisters full of liquid and intense itching (or pruritus, as doctors say). These eruptions are concentrated at the points where the allergen touched the skin and appear two or three days after contact.

• Allergic urticaria Allergic urticaria often develops soon after a certain drug or food has been ingested. It shows up as a group of small red papules (small spots on the skin) or raised patches on the skin, together with severe itching, and can extend over the entire body.

• Angioedema Angioedema is a special form of urticaria associated with edema. The onset of this condition is very sudden. It has a deep impact, extending from the skin to subcutaneous tissue, and sometimes even to the mucous membranes. Often confined to the face, a more serious form of the edema may affect the upper aerodigestive tract (the throat and larynx), in which case suffocation may ensue within a matter of minutes, with a drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness. This phenomenon is called anaphylactic shock and requires emergency treatment (in particular, an epinephrine injection). Angioedema is linked to a food allergy, drug allergy or an allergy to hymenoptera venom (bee, wasp or hornet).

The gastrointestinal tract

Food or drug allergens may cause gastrointestinal disorders.

[1] Masoli et al. Allergy 2004; 59(5): 469-78; Aas et al. 1997 European Allergy White Paper: Allergic Diseases as a Public Health Problem, Leynaert JACI 2000
[2] Allergic Diseases as a Public Health Problem, Leynaert JACI 2000, Magnan Eur Resp J 1998, ARIA-  JACI 2001, ISAAC Lancet 1998

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