Allergies (also known as Allergic diseases) constitute a significant percentage of morbidity worldwide. with the prevalence still on the rise. According to the World Allergy Organization, over 30% of the world’s population are affected by allergies1. In Hong Kong, 1 in every 5 people suffers from eczema caused by an allergic reaction2
IgE is a type of antibody produced by our immune system. When a patient with an allergy comes into contact with a specific allergen (typically harmless substances), IgE is excessively produced. This results in the release of chemicals (e.g. histamine) into the bloodstream which then induces detrimental immune responses in the form of an allergic reaction.The allergic reaction can be mild to life threatening3 and varies between patients. The severity is mainly determined by the person and his/her response. A severe allergic reaction can develop within seconds after exposure to an allergen and may result in life-threatening consequences such as anaphylaxis or even death.
Food allergies, eczema, nasal allergies, asthma, urticaria, skin allergies, rheumatism and contact dermatitis are all symptoms caused by allergens. Allergens can be found through the Ige test.
＃The Hong Kong Allergy Association indicates IgG blood testing lacks both sound scientific rationale and evidence of effectiveness. Measurement of food-specific IgG concentrations to diagnose food allergies and intolerance is not recommended.4.
