The Domain Of Allergy
Intricate. Complex. Profound.
The prevalence of allergic diseases like rhinitis, asthma, food allergy, drug allergy, anaphylaxis, dermatitis, angioedema, urticaria (hives) are on the rise globally, both in developed nations and developing nations.​
The World Allergy Organization estimates that around 30-40% of the global population in current times is affected by one form of allergic disease or the other.​​
Allergy Basics
In simple terms, an allergy is when your body's immune system reacts to something it sees as harmful, even though it's not really harmful in reality.
These things that trigger allergies are called allergens.
Common allergens include pollen, pet dander, certain foods (Peanuts, prawns etc.), dust mites and certain medications.
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When you have an allergy, your immune system mistakenly identifies the allergen as a threat and releases a chemical called histamine to protect you.
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Histamine can cause various symptoms, such as itching, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, wheezing, hives (red itchy bumps on the skin) or even more severe reactions like difficulty breathing & loss of consciousness. Allergies can vary in severity. Some people may have mild symptoms that are bothersome but not dangerous, while others may have more severe reactions that require immediate medical attention. Allergies can be diagnosed by a doctor through a medical history, physical examination and an allergy test.
Common Allergen Sources
Pollen
Trees, grasses, weeds etc.
Pets
Dogs, cats, hamsters etc.
Mites
Dust mites, storage mites etc.
Food
Milk, eggs, peanuts etc.
Mould
Alternaria, Aspergillus etc.
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Insect Venom
Bees, wasps, ants etc.
Routes Of Allergen Exposure
Inhalation
Inhaling allergens like dust mite particles, pollen, mould etc.
Ingestion
Oral consumption of different food items like milk, eggs etc.
Injection
Injection of drugs or getting stung by bees, wasps etc.
Contact
Physical contact with various sources like food, plants etc.
Allergic Diseases
Allergy is a complex immunological condition that can affect different organ systems either individually or simultaneously resulting in different conditions such as rhinitis, asthma, dermatitis, food allergies etc.
Polestar utilizes the most advanced testing platforms and state-of-the-art assays to accurately
diagnose and monitor these allergic diseases.
Our team of experienced professionals are equipped to diagnose complex cases of allergic conditions by selecting and optimising the appropriate test parameters.
Respiratory
Rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma etc.
Dermatological
Dermatitis, hives, angioedema etc.
Food Allergy
Abdominal pain, cramping, vomiting etc.
Systemic Reactions
Anaphylaxis