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Atopic allergy (atopy)

Atopy is a predisposition to have allergic reactions. People who have this predisposition are called atopic.

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.

Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Harold S. Nelson, MD
- Allergy and Immunology
Last Updated April 5, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 05, 2007
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