Allergy is a disease of the immune system. This enables our body to defend itself against external attacks (bacteria, viruses, parasites…). The immune defence is composed of 2 phases: the recognition of the attacker (specific response), and then the use of different mechanisms to neutralise the attacker (inflammation). The specific…
Also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis – inflammation of the nose. Some plants and some trees produce a powder called pollen. People are allergic to different pollens. Tree pollen during the spring, grass pollen during the summer, and weed pollen during the fall. Common symptoms are itchy throat, red itchy…
It is commonly known that people get allergies from peanuts, pollen, pets, and more, but there’s one that’s a little less common and that’s the sun allergy. It is also known as sun poisoning and it’s a reaction from the immune system to sunlight often resulting in a red, itchy…
Nutrition is a multidisciplinary science that is both exciting and complex, and always the subject of debate and controversy among humans and pets. The dog is descended from certain wolf breeds. The most likely hypothesis is that this ancestor of the dog gradually acclimatised to the company of humans by…
DESENSITISATION: WHAT IS IT? Classical immunotherapy or desensitisation consists of the subcutaneous administration of increasing doses of an allergen, allowing progressive natural exposure to that allergen without triggering an anaphylactic reaction. Although little is known about these mechanisms, specific desensitisation has been shown to be particularly effective in treating allergies…
ALLERGIC RHINOSINUSITIS: WHAT IS IT? Allergic rhinosinusitis is an increasingly common disease. The mechanisms that contribute to the inexorable increase in the number of allergic patients are many and varied. An allergic reaction is a dysfunction of our immune system and can make you sick anyone and at any age.…
ALLERGIES TO HOUSE DUST AND PETS? WHAT ARE THEY? In addition to pollen, dust mite proteins, like proteins from feathered and furry animals (e.g. cats, dogs and horses), are the main cause of allergic reactions and diseases such as asthma, rhinitis (i.e. sneezing attacks, blocked nose, etc.) and conjunctivitis (inflammation…
Insect venom is a type of poison that insects use to defend themselves. When they feel threatened, they will either sting or bite any person standing nearby, causing a possible allergic reaction. Some of the well-known insects with venomous bites or stings include wasps, hornets, fire ants, and bees. Most…
ALLERGIC RHINITIS: THE MOST COMMON DISORDER AND THE MOST NEGLECTED Hay fever is the typical expression of allergy in the nose area. He begins with sneezing fits, tingling in the nose, runny nose, and finally leads one stuffy nose. In addition, patients often complain of watery eyes and difficulty breathing.…
The intensity of the pollen loads and the beginning and duration of the pollen season change from year to year according to the weather conditions before and during the pollen season. The rising temperatures of climate change are resulting in an earlier pollen season, and, in the case of certain…