Getting to know

Small particles floating in the air enter in contact with the nose, the eyes and the lungs without any consequences in healthy people. However, in the persons predisposed to allergy, some of these particles present in the air (called airborne allergens) can trigger nose, eyes, or lung allergies. 

Allergic reactions in the nose are called allergic rhinitis. The key manifestations of rhinitis are runny and itchy nose, sneezing and blocked nose. In some allergic persons, allergens can trigger an allergic reaction in the eyes which become itchy, with swollen eyelids and tears: this is allergic conjunctivitis. In others, inhalation of the airborne allergens may lead to asthma with wheezing, shortness of breath and sensation of chest oppression (dyspnoea and bronchospasm).

Respiratory and ocular allergies can be present separately, one after the other at different moments or all together for shorter or longer periods of time depending of the presence of the aeroallergen in the air.