Skip to main content
hypersensitivity

hypersensitivity

5 7.0
A very strong reaction to food, touch, or criticism
  • noun
  • /ˌhaɪpərˌsɛnsɪˈtɪvɪti/
translation icon : hipersensibilidad
  • Chronic external otitis is probably a disease of mixed etiology; infection and hypersensitivity both play an important role.
  • hypersensitivity reaction
  • chronic hypersensitivity
  • contact hypersensitivity

And so how do we shift from that hypersensitivity to then being blind to it?

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Our patient had a convincing history of local anesthetic hypersensitivity.

    Academic text (2007)
  • People with hypersensitivity to certain foods should be cautious about what they eat to avoid reactions.

  • I wish I could take you two out for dinner or something, but I stopped going to restaurants because of my mold hypersensitivity.

  • Often people with hypersensitivity seem to overreact to touches that seem soft.

  • If patch testing is performed, up to 30% of patients may actually demonstrate hypersensitivity to neomycin.

    Academic text (2004)
  • That is a disease of pathological hypersensitivity to the pains of life and the world.

  • Eosinophilia is associated with numerous disorders, but most often relates to atopic diseases and hypersensitivity phenomena.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Schapowal also reported that 12.9% of patients with chronic external otitis experienced contact hypersensitivity to commonly used topical treatments.

    Academic text (2004)
  • My friend has a severe hypersensitivity to pollen, which makes springtime very difficult for her.

  • During the allergy season, hypersensitivity to dust mites can lead to uncomfortable symptoms like sneezing and itching.

Synonyms

allergy
vshypersensitivity
183 2.6

A harmful reaction of the body to foods, pollen or animal fur that causes sneezing, rash and breathing problems

is broader, covering abnormal sensitivity beyond just immune reactions
supersensitivity
vshypersensitivity
8.1

A state of very strong reaction to physical or emotional things

is an abnormal degree used specifically in medical or emotional contexts
oversensitiveness
vshypersensitivity
8.9

A tendency to feel hurt or upset very easily by words and events

is a medically framed extreme sensitivity rather than ordinary irritation
oversensitivity
vshypersensitivity
  • Specialized
6.7

A device that reacts to very weak signals and gives false readings

is about abnormal human or medical sensitivity rather than technical faults
sensitiveness
vshypersensitivity
  • Specialized
5.5

Being easily affected by feelings and aware of others' emotions

is stronger, an abnormal or extreme degree of emotional reactivity

Antonyms

tolerance
  • Specialized
43 4.8

Ability to survive in bad conditions like heat or drought

16 5.5

A lack of care for other people's feelings or needs

Compounds

5.6

An extreme response by the immune system to something you are allergic to that can be life threatening

How Sensitive

hypersensitivity
5 7.0
sensitivity
  • Specialized
15 4.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

hypersensitivity = sensitivity (transparent) = hyper + sense + ive + ity

The word is transparently formed by adding hyper- to sensitivity, expressing an excessive degree of sensitivity.

Etymology

Hypersensitivity comes from the prefix hyper- meaning 'over' and the root sensitive (from sense) meaning 'able to feel or notice'. So, hypersensitivity is when a person or body reacts 'too much' to something, like a food, a touch, or a comment.