Atopic Allergy (Atopy)

Atopy (say "AT-uh-pee") is a predisposition to have allergic reactions. People who have this predisposition are called atopic (say "ay-TOP-ick").

Atopic people often have at least one allergic condition, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), atopic dermatitis, hives or angioedema, or food allergies. The tendency to develop these kinds of allergies runs in families.

Credits

By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: March 10, 2011
Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Rohit K Katial, MD - Allergy and Immunology

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