Otolaryngic allergy research deals with research on the medical and surgical treatment of patients with otolaryngic allergy, rhinologic, and skull base conditions. If you suffer from allergies, you are not alone. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of people suffer from allergies, making it one of the more common chronic illnesses. Billions of health care dollars are spent each year diagnosing and treating allergies. Allergy is a condition, oftentimes inherited, which causes a person's immune system to overreact to an otherwise harmless substance in the environment. Common allergy triggers include: Animal dander (especially cat dander), Dust mites, Tree pollen, Grass pollen, Weeds, Molds, and Foods.