The world-wide increase in allergy is the consequence of drastic changes in people's lifestyles, living environments (both indoors and outdoors) and food. The allergy problem has become an important health issue in the past two decades, and valuable knowledge and strategies regarding prevention have been fully developed yet over this period. In China, the economy is growing at a very high speed. Currently, asthma, allergic skin diseases and several forms of food allergy are major recognized health problems. Although there are no exact national data to enable understanding of the prevalence of allergic diseases currently available, there is, non-the-less, a body of evidence available to suggest that the incidence of allergic disease is increasing.

Allergy is an immunological disease caused by multiple factors and characterized by variability, specificity and complexity. Multidis-ciplinary Approaches to Allergies covers diverse aspects ranging from basic molecular mechanisms to societal issues within the framework of multidisciplinary approaches to allergies. It contains 29 chapters in 6 parts: General Allergy; Allergenic Sources and Allergens; Diagnosis; Therapies and Pharmacy; Hypoallergenic Products; Environment, Hygiene and Societal Issues. It can be used in education and research as introductory and supplementary material. It is also an indispensable tool for scientists and doctors who are searching for an integrated way for allergy prevention, treatment and management.

Part Ⅰ General Allergy

Part Ⅱ Allergenic Sources and Allergens

Part Ⅲ Diagnosis

Part Ⅳ Therapies and Pharmacy

Part Ⅴ Hypoallergenic Products

Part Ⅵ Environment, Hygiene and Societal Issues.