Atopy vs. Allergy: What's the Difference?

Of, relating to, or caused by a hereditary predisposition to developing allergic reactions, such as hay fever, asthma, or urticaria, after exposure to specific antigens such as pollen, food, and insect venoms.

A condition in which exposure to a substance, such as pollen, latex, animal dander, or a particular food or drug, causes an overreaction by the immune system that results in symptoms such as sneezing, itching, rash, and difficulty breathing or swallowing.

(medicine) A hereditary disorder marked by the tendency to develop localized immediate hypersensitivity reactions to allergens such as pollen, food etc and is manifested by hay fever, asthma, or similar allergic conditions; generally considered to be caused by the interaction of environmental and genetic factors.

(Informal) An adverse sentiment; antipathy

A person suffering from atopic syndrome; a case of atopy.

A disorder of the immune system causing adverse reactions to substances (allergens) not harmful to most and marked by the body's production of histamines and associated with atopy, anaphylaxis, and asthma.

An allergic reaction that becomes apparent in a sensitized person only minutes after contact

(pathology) Any condition of hypersensitivity to a substance.

Altered susceptibility to a first treatment as exhibited in reaction to a subsequent one.

(informal) An antipathy, as toward a person or activity.

Hypersensitivity to a particular substance.

Hypersensitivity reaction to a particular allergen; symptoms can vary greatly in intensity