Allegy

Question 1

Allergy definition

Answer 1

Type 1 Hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system to certain In response to harmless allergens-
The reactions occur in response to an allergen- antigen complex, the individual, the mode of insertion.

Question 2

What are the risk factors for allergies

Answer 2

Host factors:

• hereditary
• race
• age

Environment

• Alteration in exposure to infectious diseases during early childhood
• environmental pollution
• allergen levels
• dietary changes

`Occupational:

• dust
• latex
• flour

Question 3

Why is the incidence of allergies on the rise?

Answer 3

• Hygiene theory: people aren’t building up a tolerance to environment due to a higher standard of hygiene as babies
• Diet becoming more processed

Question 4

How will the allergic reaction present and what does this depend on?

Answer 4

Can be systemic or localised.

Depends on the individual, the mode of introduction, allergen

Question 5

What is an allergen

Answer 5

A chemical whose antigen will trigger an allergic reaction

Question 6

How does a type 1 allergic reaction develop?

Answer 6

Sensitisation:

• Plasma cells form specific IgE antibodies
• IgE bind to mast cells

Re-exposure:

• Antigen-antibody complex causes mast cells to degranulate and release histamine
• Histamine leads to the release of leukotrienes, prostaglandins and chemotactic agents
• These agents cause an inflammatory response: vasodilation, vascular permeability, smooth muscle contraction, leukocyte infiltration

Question 7

Different responses

Answer 7

Acute response: acute inflammation
Late-phase response:
-2-4 hours later
-Due to the return of leukocytes… to the original site

Question 8

How is allergy classified?

Answer 8

Using ARIA

Question 9

intermittent vs persistant

Answer 9

Intermittent :

• <4 days a week
• Or of < 4 consecutive weeks

Persistant:

• More than 4 days a week
• AND more than 4 consecutive weeks

Question 10

Mild vs moderate-severe

Answer 10

Mild

• No sleep disturbance
• Does not interfere with daily activities
• Does not interfere with work/school

Moderate/severe

• Symptoms are troublesome
• Symptoms interfere with work/ school
• Symptoms interfere with daily activities
• Cause sleep disturbances

Question 11

Investigations

Answer 11

• SKIN allergy test
• RAST test: investigates amount go IgE in the blood
• Total serum IgE
• Nasal allergy challenge
• Nasal cytology

Question 12

Treatment

Answer 12

-Remove allergen
-Salty water spray
-Pharmacotherapy:
Steroids
Antihistamines
Anti-IgE
Sodium cromoglycate
-immunotherapy

Question 13

what is sodium croglycate

Answer 13

A mast cell stabiliser