allergico

Allergico is an Italian adjective meaning related to or caused by an allergy. It is used to describe a person who has an allergic condition (un paziente allergico) or a characteristic associated with allergy (reazioni allergiche). The feminine form is allergica and the plural is allergici or allergiche. The noun corresponding to the condition is allergia, and related terms include allergene (allergen) and allergenico (allergenic in the sense of causing allergies).

Allergies are immune-mediated responses to substances that are usually harmless to most people, such as pollen, dust mites, certain foods, insect stings, or medications. In susceptible individuals, exposure triggers the production of specific IgE antibodies, leading to activation of mast cells and basophils and the release of histamine and other mediators. Reactions range from mild, such as sneezing, itching, or hives, to more serious outcomes like bronchoconstriction or anaphylaxis in rare cases.

Etymology and usage context: the term allergico derives from Greek roots meaning “other work” and entered European languages through French and other intermediaries, forming the family of words that includes allergy and allergia. In Italian, the concept is widely used in medical, pharmacological, and everyday language, with precise terms for related ideas such as allergene (substance that can trigger an allergy) and allergologia (the study of allergies). In other Romance languages, similar forms exist, such as alérgico in Spanish.