T2I underlies most allergic diseases, including asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), prurigo nodularis (PN), bullous pemphigoid (BP), chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and congestive obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). All share a common foundation: an overactive immune system driven by inflammatory proteins called cytokines.1-3
Depending on the condition/body system affected, T2I causes a variety of symptoms including respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; itchy skin; red, watery, itchy eyes; and gastrointestinal symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing.1,2
There are several tests available to determine if your condition is driven by T2I, including blood tests for inflammatory proteins and a breathing test to measure levels of nitric oxide in your lungs.4-6
Yes. If you have one T2I disease, you are more likely to have another. Conditions that can be affected by T2I are listed above in FAQ – What is Type 2 Inflammation (T2I)?.7
T2I can have a substantial effect on your quality of life, including mental health problems; trouble sleeping; work and school disruptions; and chronic stress. However, there are ways to manage T2I diseases and improve quality of life.7
Treating T2I requires lifestyle changes, such as recognizing your triggers and creating a trigger-free environment. It also requires medications to treat the symptoms and underlying inflammation. These include antihistamines, corticosteroids, long acting beta2 agonists, leukotriene muscarinic antagonists, and biologics.8,9
Biologics are targeted therapies designed to block the effects of those inflammatory cytokines. There are nine FDA-approved biologics for conditions affected by T2I. Some, like dupilumab and omalizumab, are approved for several diseases. However, the ages for each treatment and what condition they are approved for can vary with each medication.10
You will need a multidisciplinary team of providers to help you manage your T2I condition. This may include a primary care physician; allergist/immunologist; pulmonologist; dermatologist; ENT; and gastroenterologist as well as nurses, nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).11,12
All URLs Accessed February 5, 2025
