sensitisation
- Noun:
- The process of making an organism sensitive to a substance, typically through repeated exposure: In immunology, this refers to the process by which an organism develops an increased or allergic reaction to an antigen after an initial exposure.
- The process of becoming highly responsive to specific stimuli: In psychology, this denotes the process of becoming acutely sensitive or reactive to particular events, situations, or emotional triggers.
- The condition of being sensitive: The state of having heightened sensitivity or responsiveness to a specific agent or stimulus.
- Noun:
- The sensitisation to pollen can lead to severe hay fever symptoms. (The process of becoming allergic to pollen can lead to severe hay fever symptoms.)
- Therapy addressed the patient's sensitisation to loud noises following the traumatic event. (Therapy addressed the patient's process of becoming highly sensitive to loud noises following the traumatic event.)
- The sensitisation of the skin to sunlight is a common side effect of this medication. (The state of the skin being sensitive to sunlight is a common side effect of this medication.)
"Behavioral sensitisation": In neuroscience and psychology, this refers to the increased response to a stimulus (often a drug) following its repeated administration.
- Repeated use of the substance led to behavioral sensitisation, amplifying its psychomotor effects.
"Central sensitisation": A condition of the nervous system associated with the development and maintenance of chronic pain, where neurons become hyper-responsive.
- The chronic pain is believed to be due to central sensitisation in the spinal cord.
Sensitise (Verb, chiefly British English): To make sensitive or aware. The American English spelling is sensitize.
- The campaign aims to sensitise the public to environmental issues.
Desensitisation (Noun): The process of making less sensitive.
- Desensitisation therapy helps reduce allergic reactions.
Hypersensitisation (Noun): The act of inducing an excessively sensitive state.
- Hypersensitisation to the drug was a concern.
- Sensitizing: The act of making sensitive.
- Allergisation: The process of becoming allergic (specific to immunological context).
- Heightened awareness: Increased sensitivity or consciousness (general/psychological context).
Sensitisation period: The time during which sensitivity is developed.
- The sensitisation period for this allergy can be several years.
Sensitisation phase: A stage in an immune or psychological process where sensitivity is acquired.
- The initial exposure marks the beginning of the sensitisation phase.
Note: As a technical term, "sensitisation" is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. Its usage is primarily confined to scientific, medical, and psychological contexts.
- rendering an organism sensitive to a serum by a series of injections
- (psychology) the process of becoming highly sensitive to specific events or situations (especially emotional events or situations)
- the state of being sensitive (as to an antigen)