Allergies Flashcards
(37 cards)
What are autoimmune disorders?
Where the immune system attacks our own bodies.
What causes allergies?
Overproduction of IgE antibodies in response to harmless environmental antigens.
Give some examples of allergies.
- Asthma
- Hay fever
- Allergic rhinitis
- Hives
- Dermatitis
- Food allergy
- Drug allergy
What is an allergy?
Exaggerated immune response to a foreign antigen.
What is atopy?
State that leads to an exaggerated IgE-mediated immune response.
Atopic disorders are what type of disorders?
Type 1 hypersensitivity disorders.
An allergy involves cytokines produced by which type of cells?
- Th2 cells
- IgE
- Mast cells
- Eosinophils
State some symptoms of asthma.
- Wheeze
- Breathlessness
- Chest tightness
- Cough
What are the common allergens of asthma?
- Inhaled allergens
- Food
- Drugs
State some symptoms of rhinitis.
- Nasal itching
- Blockage
- Rhinorrea
- Sneezing
What is urticaria?
Itchy, nettle rash - hives.
What are urticaria and angiodema triggered by?
- Food
- Drugs (NSAIDs and ACEi)
What is eczema?
Erythematous (red) inflammation of the skin.
What is anaphylaxis?
Severe allergic reaction.
Anaphylaxis involves which body systems?
- Respiratory
- Blood
- Cardiovascular
- Gastrointestinal
What happens during anaphylaxis?
Shock - a drop in BP which can lead to a cardiac arrest
Gives some examples which can cause anaphylaxis.
- Foods
- Drugs (antibiotics)
- Venom
- Latex
True or False: Allergies can be genetic.
True
In allergies, changes in genes can be changes in what?
Cytokines
How does a skin prick test work?
- Drop of allergen on skin
- Skin prick
- Skin reaction - inflammation
What is the process of how allergic rhinitis occurs?
- Exposure to pollen
- B cells detect the antigens and produce IgE antibodies.
- IgE antibodies bind to mast cells
- When exposed to pollen next time, mast cells will release contents causing allergic rhinitis
What happens during a pathogenic immune response?
- Macrophages engulf pathogens and mast cells release contents.
- Promotes tissue healing and attract other WBCs.
- Pathogen removed and wound healed.
What happens during the non-pathogen activation of the immune response?
- Dendritic cells are activated
- B cells are activated, causing the production of IgE antibodies.
- IgE antibodies prime the mast cells
- Exposure to allergens then cause mast cell degranulation and recruitment of other WBCs.
Which 2 white blood cells initiate an inflammatory response such as those seen in allergy and asthma?
- Mast cells
- Basophils
