Immunology is the branch of medicine that deals with immune system. Immunologists broadly deal with conditions where the immune system does not work appropriately. When the immune system over-reacts, it can result in conditions that attack one’s own body in an organ-specific way or systemic (whole body) fashion. On the other hand, in conditions where the immune system is under-performing, it can result in immunodeficient conditions that puts one susceptible to recurrent infections.
Compared to autoimmunity, allergy is the condition where the immune system generates a damaging response to an usually harmless substance (called an allergen) such as particular foods, pollen or medications. Rather than ignoring these innoculous substances, the body over-responses and can cause additional damage and in some cases such as anaphylaxis, it may even lead to a life threatening reaction.
An allergist is a specialist that diagnoses, manages and sometimes treat the allergy by teaching the body to tolerate an offending allergen with immunotherapy.
Common allergies include but not limited to:
Allergy testing can often help discern the triggering allergen or to rule in or out an allergy. This can be during the same consultation.
