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Hypersensitivity refers to undesirable reactions produced by the normal immune system, including allergies and autoimmunity. They are usually referred to as an over-reaction of the immune system and these reactions may be damaging and uncomfortable. This is an immunologic term and is not to be confused with the psychiatric term of being hypersensitive which implies to an individual who may be overly sensitive to physical and/or emotional stimuli. Although there is a relation between the two – studies have shown that those individuals that have ADHD are more likely to have hypersensitivity reactions such as allergies, asthma, eczema than those who do not have ADHD.
Hypersensitivity reactions can be classified into four types.
Type I: IgE mediated immediate reaction
Type II: Antibody-mediated reaction