Sensitizing: meaning, definitions and examples
⚠️
sensitizing
[ ˈsɛnsɪtaɪzɪŋ ]
medical context
Sensitizing refers to the process of making a person or an organism sensitive to a substance, typically an allergen. This can lead to an allergic reaction upon subsequent exposures. In immunology, sensitization involves the development of antibodies against specific antigens. Sensitization can be a crucial step in vaccination, where exposure to a weakened or inactive form of a pathogen prepares the immune system to respond robustly to future encounters.
Synonyms
allergy induction, immunological conditioning, making sensitive
Examples of usage
- The doctor explained the sensitizing effect of pollen on allergic patients.
- Sensitizing the skin increases the likelihood of a reaction to the substance.
- The process of sensitizing patients is critical for effective allergy treatments.
Translations
Translations of the word "sensitizing" in other languages:
🇵🇹 sensibilizando
🇮🇳 संवेदनशील करना
🇩🇪 sensibilisieren
🇮🇩 mensensitisasi
🇺🇦 сенсибілізація
🇵🇱 uczulanie
🇯🇵 感作する
🇫🇷 sensibiliser
🇪🇸 sensibilizar
🇹🇷 hassaslaştırma
🇰🇷 민감화하다
🇸🇦 تحسيس
🇨🇿 sensibilizace
🇸🇰 sensibilizácia
🇨🇳 敏感化
🇸🇮 sensibilizacija
🇮🇸 viðkvæmni
🇰🇿 сезімталдық
🇬🇪 სენსიტიზაცია
🇦🇿 hassaslaşdırma
🇲🇽 sensibilización
Etymology
The word 'sensitizing' derives from the root 'sensitive,' which comes from the Latin word 'sensitivus,' meaning 'capable of sensation or perception,' from 'sensus,' meaning 'feeling, perception.' The suffix '-ing' indicates a process or action. The term began to gain prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly within the fields of medicine and immunology, as scientists began to understand the mechanisms of allergies and the immune response. The concept of sensitization has been integral in the development of vaccines, as it relates to preparing the immune system to recognize and combat specific pathogens. Over time, the usage of the term has expanded into various contexts, including psychology, where it relates to heightened awareness or reactivity to stimuli.