Inhalation

Clinical information

In inhalation allergies, the allergens enter the body via the air and mucous membranes and lead to measurable concentrations of IgE against the allergen.  Seasonal allergen sources (tree, grass and weed pollen) play a role, as do indoor allergens (house dust mites, domestic animals and mould spores), which are present all year round. Symptoms usually occur shortly after contact with the allergen. This is referred to as “immediate-type reaction” and affects more than 15% of the population in industrialised countries. Typical allergic symptoms include rhinitis, conjunctivitis and allergic asthma. In rare cases, systemic allergic reactions may occur, which are associated with severe, sometimes life-threatening symptoms (anaphylactic shock).

Diagnostics

For clarification of sensitisations to inhalation allergens, EUROIMMUN offers different inhalation profiles (EUROLINE). These allow in vitro determination of human IgE antibodies against the most frequent inhalation allergens in serum or plasma. Moreover, country-specific inhalation profiles are available, in which the allergen composition is optimised with regard to regional conditions.

In addition, the total IgE concentration can be determined using the Total IgE ELISA, allowing differentiation between allergic and intrinsic asthma, between rhinitis allergica and vasomotorica and between atopical and seborrhoic dermatitis.

_{EUROASSAY products are only available in Germany.}