What should I know about was ist eine allergie?

An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to normally harmless substances (allergens) such as pollen, pet dander, or foods. Symptoms range from sneezing and itching to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Diagnosis relies on IgE antibody tests (blood or skin prick) and medical history. Consumer DNA tests, like those offered by some companies, can only identify genetic risk variants (e.g., for hay fever) – they do not replace clinical allergy testing. The evidence for predictive DNA panels in allergies is weak (GWAS, mechanistic) and not validated for clinical decision-making. Caveat: A negative genetic test does not rule out an allergy, and a positive test does not confirm an active allergy. If you suspect an allergy, consult an allergist.