ABSTRACT
Atopic allergic diseases such as asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema are rising in prevalence and are a common cause of chronic morbidity in industrialized nations. Direct and indirect consequences include greater financial burden upon health care systems and wide-ranging socioeconomic effects. A number of palliative pharmacological approaches are available that address symptoms, including antihistamines, topical corticosteroids, and inhaled bronchodilators. However, many patients with moderate to severe disease experience only partial to poor symptom control. Furthermore, they are often unable to adopt standard allergen avoidance techniques, as the aeroallergens responsible for disease are often widespread in the environment and difficult to control.
