Allergy Flashcards
what are the different reaction to an allergy?
angioedema urticaria and rash laryngeal oedema bronchospasm hypotension/ collapse (anaphylaxis)
hen is an allergy chronic?
> 6 months
what questions would you ask in the history to support evidence of a food allergy?
any previous reactions? what do you take a reaction to? what is the worse reaction you have had? family history of allergy do they have atopy - asthma, hay fever, eczema ? do they have co-existing asthma? do they respond to treatment?
what investigations could you carry out to support the diagnosis of an allergy?
skin prick testing
oral food challenge
specific IgE
what is the gold standard investigation for the diagnosis of an allergy?
oral food challenge
what is the 1st line treatment for anaphylaxis?
i/m injection of adrenaline
hat are the management options for food allergy?
allergen avoidance anti-histamines adrenaline (asthma, anaphylaxis) dietary advice optimise asthma control
why are people asked if they have asthma if they have an allergy?
because having co-existing asthma increases risk of anaphylaxis response to allergen
what are the presenting features of anaphylaxis?
feeling of impeding doom occurs within minutes bronchospasm laryngeal oedema hypotension collapse
why are patients who take anaphylaxis given steroids as well as adrenaline?
to prevent the possible biphasic reaction that could occur in the following 1-8 hours post anaphylaxis
how does adrenaline treat anaphylaxis?
increases bronchodilator
increases peripheral vascular resistance
improves blood pressure and coronary perfusion
reduces angioedema
bronchodilatationn
decrease release of inflammatory mediators
how would you manage an egg allergy?
majority goes away by 5 years old
egg ladder - reintroducing eggs
start with well cooked eggs then build up
(type of immunotherapy)
is Th1 or Th2 involved in IgE mediated allergy?
Th2
what innate immune cells are involved in IgE mediated allergy?
mast cells and basophils
