[Common questions about allergy. Practical approach to diagnosis and management in primary care]

Allergic diseases are disorders with different clinical manifestations that are present in 20 to 40% of the general population. Since they share a common mechanism, several processes of this type often occur in the same individual, thus generating numerous symptoms and important economic costs for patients and their families. Currently, medical management of these diseases is focused on three main aspects: to identify and avoid the causative agent, acute symptoms' control through pharmacological treatment and generation of tolerance with immunomodulation or desensitization. However, owing to the different underlying mechanisms, different diagnostic approaches are necessary, which can become a real challenge for the treating physician. In addition, sometimes patients undergo different restrictions and unnecessary treatments, thus limiting their daily activities, modifying their diet and directly affecting their quality of life. A review is made, aimed at answering different concerns arising from daily patient consultation.