What Are Allergic Diseases?
Allergic diseases occur when the immune system reacts to usually harmless substances such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander, foods, or insect bites. If you or your child has sneezing, wheezing, rashes, or food reactions, our Allergic Diseases Clinic at Liv Hospital provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, including testing and immunotherapy. Understanding the basics of allergic conditions can help you recognize symptoms early and seek the right care on the other hand, the immune system causes an excessive reaction to substances that are not normally harmful to the body.
What is an Allergy?
An allergy is an exaggerated immune response to a substance (allergen) that most people tolerate, such as pollen or certain foods.
What Is an Allergic Disease?
Allergic diseases are conditions caused by these immune reactions and can affect the nose and sinuses, lungs, skin, eyes, and digestive system. They often run in families and can be triggered by environmental factors. To recognize these conditions more clearly, let’s explore some of the most common types of allergic diseases.
Common Types of Allergic Diseases
Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever): Is Allergic Rhinitis a Disease?
Yes. Allergic rhinitis is a common allergic disease with sneezing, nasal itching, runny or blocked nose, post nasal drip, and itchy, watery eyes. Symptoms may be seasonal (pollen) or year round (dust mites, mold, pets).
Allergic Asthma: Is Asthma an Allergic Disease?
Asthma is often allergic in children and many adults. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, which may worsen at night or with triggers like dust mites, pollen, pets, or exercise.
Allergic Skin Diseases (Eczema, Hives)
Atopic dermatitis: Chronic, dry, itchy, inflamed skin, often linked with other allergies.
Urticaria: Raised, itchy welts that can be triggered by foods, medications, infections, or temperature changes.
Allergic Eye Disease
Red, itchy, watery eyes can be caused by allergens like pollen or animal dander. Persistent eye symptoms can affect vision comfort and daily life.
Food Allergies and Celiac Disease: What Are People with Celiac Disease Allergic To?
Celiac disease is an immune reaction to gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, and rye, which harms the small intestine. People with celiac disease must avoid gluten. Some report 'gluten sensitivity' even without celiac disease. This differs from celiac disease and wheat allergy. Patients often ask about special topics related to allergies; here are answers to some of the most frequent questions.
Is Allergic Rhinitis an Autoimmune Disease?
No. Allergic rhinitis is an allergic condition (IgE-mediated), not autoimmune. The immune system reacts to external allergens, not the body’s own tissues.
Is Non Allergic Rhinitis an Autoimmune Disease?
No. Non allergic rhinitis causes similar symptoms without an IgE mechanism. Triggers include irritants like smoke, perfumes, weather changes, or medications. It is not autoimmune.
What Disease Makes You Allergic to Red Meat?
A delayed allergic reaction to red meat (beef, pork, lamb) is known as alpha gal syndrome. It is associated with sensitivity to a sugar molecule called alpha gal.
In our allergic diseases, we focus not only on the symptoms but also on the underlying causes. With our principles of privacy and trust, we create spaces where you can express yourself freely and feel supported.
What Tick Disease Makes You Allergic to Meat?
Some tick bites, especially from the lone star tick, can cause alpha gal syndrome by exposing your immune system to alpha gal. Allergic reactions usually happen two to six hours after eating red meat.
Does Lyme Disease Make You Allergic to Meat?
Lyme disease does not cause meat allergy. Alpha gal syndrome is linked to tick bites but not to Lyme infection itself. If you have meat reactions after a tick bite, ask about alpha gal testing.
Is Being “Allergic to Gluten” the Same as Celiac Disease?
Not necessarily. Celiac disease is a specific autoimmune condition triggered by gluten. Wheat allergy is an IgE-mediated allergy to proteins in wheat. Non celiac gluten sensitivity involves symptoms without celiac or wheat allergy. Proper testing helps clarify the diagnosis. Next, let’s look at the symptoms you may notice if you or your child has an allergic condition.
Symptoms of Allergic Diseases
- Respiratory Symptoms
- Sneezing, nasal itching, runny or blocked nose
- Cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness
- Post nasal drip, throat clearing, disturbed sleep
- Skin Symptoms
- Itching, redness, dry or scaly patches (eczema)
- Hives (raised itchy welts), swelling of lips or eyelids
- Digestive Symptoms
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea (often in food allergy or celiac disease)
- Poor appetite or weight loss in persistent cases
Severe Allergy (Anaphylaxis): When to Seek Emergency Care
Call emergency services immediately if you have sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness or fainting, widespread hives, or a rapid drop in blood pressure. An epinephrine auto injector may be lifesaving for patients with known severe allergies.
Skin Tests and Blood Tests
We use evidence based skin prick testing and blood tests (specific IgE) to identify allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pets, molds, foods, and insect venoms. For alpha gal syndrome, specific testing is available. For celiac disease, blood tests and endoscopic biopsy may be recommended.
Identifying Triggers
Your doctor will review your symptoms, exposures, and medical history to build a personalized plan to reduce triggers and control symptoms. Once triggers are identified, your care plan at Liv Hospital focuses on treatment and support.
Allergen control: dust mite covers, regular washing of bedding, HEPA filtration, mold control, pet dander strategies
Seasonal strategies: pollen forecasts, closing windows during high pollen, showering after outdoor exposure
Diet guidance for food allergy and celiac disease (gluten free plan)
Medications
Intranasal corticosteroids and antihistamines for rhinitis
Inhaled controllers and relievers for asthma
Topical treatments for eczema; non sedating antihistamines for hives
Emergency plans and epinephrine auto injectors for patients at risk of anaphylaxis
Immunotherapy (Allergy Vaccines)
We offer immunotherapy for patients who are good candidates. This treatment helps lower your sensitivity to allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. It can be given as injections under the skin or as drops or tablets under the tongue, and it may provide long term relief.
When to See a Specialist ?
- Symptoms affect sleep, school, or work
- Frequent wheezing, nighttime cough, or repeated sinus/ear infections
- Reactions to foods, stings, or medications
- Persistent eye or skin symptoms not improving with basic care
- Concern about alpha gal syndrome or celiac disease
How to Get an Appointment at Liv Hospital
Our Allergic Diseases Clinic provides comprehensive evaluation, testing, and tailored treatment. Contact us to schedule an appointment or request a second opinion. If you have severe symptoms, seek urgent medical care first. Below are quick answers to some common questions patients ask for your convenience.
For more information about our academic and training initiatives, visit Liv Hospital Academy.
Frequently Asked Questions for Adolescent Health
Is allergic rhinitis an autoimmune disease?
No, it is an allergic (IgE-mediated) condition.
What disease makes you allergic to red meat?
Alpha gal syndrome, often after certain tick bites.
Does Lyme disease cause meat allergy?
No; meat allergy is linked to alpha gal sensitization, not Lyme.
What are people with celiac disease allergic to?
They must avoid gluten (wheat, barley, rye); celiac is an immune mediated condition, not a classic allergy.
Can you be allergic to gluten without having celiac disease?
You can have wheat allergy or non celiac gluten sensitivity; testing helps distinguish these.
