Biology: Ch.4 - Health and Hygiene: Allergies Flashcards
What is an allergic reaction?
your body reacting to substances that are otherwise not harmful
What is an allergy?
An allergy is an abnormal immune response of our body which develops due to hypersensitivity to specific substances
What are allergens?
Substances that trigger an allergic reaction
Foreign substance that is inhaled or ingested
What does an allergen cause?
An allergen causes an abnormal immune response
What are some examples of non-food allergens?
Dust, animal dander, pollen grains, mites, sunlight, soot etc.
What are the three main pathways for allergens to enter?
Mouth (food items, through ingesting)
Nose (by inhaling them)
Skin (by physical contact)
Symptoms of an allergy can range from-
Mild to Moderate to Severe
Some allergic reactions can become serious and trigger a life-threatning reaction called ____
anaphylaxis
Two types of allergies
Seasonal
Perennial
What is hay fever also called?
Allergic Rhinitis
What is a home remedy for hay fever?
Ginger
What are histamines? When are they released?
Histamines are chemical compounds triggered when an allergic reaction happens
What is a characteristic of histamines?
They are produced in a specific location (and hence corresponding symptoms are seen)
What are antihistamines?
They are a type of medicine that is given to counter the allergy
They makes the histamines ineffective, hence stopping the reaction and giving relief to the patient
What are some medication for allergies
- Anti-allergy shots
Antihistamines
