This allows the concepts of "atopy" and "atopic" are used to describe a clinical feature and predisposition and not the disease itself. "Atopic" is reserved for (atopic) symptoms, but not for atopic asthma as a substitute for IgE-mediated asthma. It is recommended that the term "atopy" to use caution until IgE-mediated sensitization can be demonstrated. Incidentally, a positive skin response or the presence of specific IgE is not necessarily a criterion for atopy Allergy holds a hypersensitivity reaction, initiated by an immunological mechanism. A distinction is made http://www.x4facts.com/adderum/