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The allergic process

Thanks to epidemiological studies, it has been demonstrated that allergic life starts at the earliest age.

If a baby is atopic and therefore presents a risk of becoming allergic, due to family history but also exposure to allergens, they begin by becoming sensitised to food.

These food allergies which are extremely common among babies subsequently tend to diminish or even disappear. They will be replaced by sensitisation to inhaled allergens provoking respiratory allergies such as asthma or rhinitis. The individual can subsequently become sensitised to other allergens, which is known as polysensitisation.

It has been demonstrated that allergenic immunotherapy has a major role to play in this area since it prevents sensitisation to new allergens1

The allergic process, standard course of childhood allergy symptoms2:
• Atopic dermatisis (or eczema) in babies (as of 3 months)
• Food allergy (oral syndrome, digestive, respiratory symptoms, anaphylaxis)
• Allergic rhinitis in children
• Asthma and "wheezing bronchitis" in children of pre- or early school age

From rhinitis to allergic asthma

Rhinitis and allergic asthma: one disease, two symptoms

Physiopathological studies3,4,5 show a close correlation between rhinitis and asthma in the allergic process. Even if there are differences between the two diseases, it is considered that upper and lower airways are impaired by the same inflammatory process which could become amplified by interdependent mechanisms.


Nasal and bronchial mucous present similarities and the complementarity between them should be taken into account, particularly via interactions between the nose and the lungs.

Allergic rhinitis, risk factor for asthmatic disease

Allergic rhinitis must be considered as a risk factor for asthmatic disease

  • subjects suffering from allergic rhinitis are 3.5 times more at risk of being asthmatic than controls6
  • 20 to 40 % of patients with allergic rhinitis suffer from asthma7
  • Most asthma patients have concomitant rhinitis7

It has been demonstrated that allergenic immunotherapy makes it possible to prevent rhinitis from developing into asthma several years after it was ended8

Patient testimony

When allergic rhinitis is complicated by asthma: Lucas, a 25-year-old suffering from severe rhino-conjunctivitis

For several years, I have felt unwell in the presence of pollens and used to take antihistamines before ending up going to see an allergist who diagnosed an allergy to grass pollen.

It used to affect me for at least three months every year both through itchy eyes and continual sneezing. More recently, I've had trouble with my breathing so I decided to see a specialist. In fact, I've got a whole host of symptoms which are now compounded by headaches.

I was worried about my future, concerned about complications for my day-to-day life. I was sleeping really badly and found it hard to concentrate. I was worried about the impact it could have on my personal and professional life.

The disease forced me to adopt a number of measures and left me tired for several months each year. The prospect of becoming asthmatic was a real worry.

1 Pajno GB. et al. Prevention of new sensitizations in asthmatic children monosensitized to house dust mites by specific immunotherapy. Clin Exp Allergy. 2001 Sep;31(9):1392-7.
2 4èmes journées françaises de l’allergie, l’Enfant allergique, Mardi 23 mars 2010
3 Linneberg A. et al. The link between allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma: a prospective population-based study. The Copenhagen Allergy Study. Allergy 2002; 57: 1048-52.
4 Bousquet J. et al. Characteristics of intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis: DREAMS study group. Clin Exp Allergy 2005; 35: 728-32.
5 Niggemann B.et al. Five-year follow-up on the PAT study: specific immunotherapy and long-term prevention of asthma in children. Allergy. 2006; 61(7):855-9.
6 Shaaban R. et al. Rhinitis and onset of asthma: a longitudinal population-based study. Lancet. 2008; Sep 20; 372(9643):1049-57.
7 Layeart B. et al. Association between asthma and rhinitis according to atopic sensitization in a population-based study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004 Jan; 113(1):86-93.
8 Jacobens L. et al. Specific immunotherapy has long-term preventive effect of seasonal and perennial asthma: 10-year follow-up on the PAT study. Allergy. 2007 Aug;62(8):943-8.