The word ‘allergy’ appeared for the first time on 24 July 1904 in a publication by Clemens von Pirquet. The term he created refers to a certain set of symptoms that had previously not been classified

Allergy Therapy
The word ‘allergy’ appeared for the first time on 24 July 1904 in a publication by Clemens von Pirquet. The term he created refers to a certain set of symptoms that had previously not been classified. More than 100 years later, there is still much research to be done, but there are now many ways to treat allergies or relieve their symptoms.

Allergen Avoidance

The avoidance of allergens is an important part of allergy therapy (medical term: abstention). Allergic individuals must avoid exposure to the trigger substance. Depending on the disease, there are various other measures that should be taken. For example:

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  People with a house dust mite allergy can use encasings(special bedding and mattress covers) to reduce exposure to mites while in bed. Creating an inhospitable climate by setting the room temperature to below 25°C and keeping humidity low can also help reduce allergen contact.
  
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  If a food allergy has been diagnosed, a low allergen meal plan can be created with guidance from a nutritionist.
  
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  It is important for mould allergy sufferers to maintain proper living conditions in order to prevent the growth of mould and mildew.
  
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  Individuals with allergies to pets such as cats and dogs should not keep animals in their homes.
  

Depending on the allergy, it can be very difficult to avoid exposure to the allergen. For example, it is hard for people with a birch pollen allergy to avoid exposure to pollen in Germany in the spring. It is also nearly impossible to completely avoid house mites in everyday situations, since they are present not only in the home but also at the cinema, on the seats of public transportation, and in carpets at friends’ houses. The energy efficiency standards of new buildings have resulted in an optimal indoor climate for mites.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, it can be helpful for patients to spend some time in a mite-free climate zone, such as the Alps, until their lung function and asthma symptoms improve. Pollen allergy sufferers can visit regions with low pollen counts during the peak pollen season (for example, they can travel to southern Europe to get away from birch pollen).