Allergy

As a response to allergens, the body produces a chemical called :

1. Histones
2. Antigen
3. Histamine
4. Antibody

Answer

Histamine

Reason — The body produces Histamine in response to allergens, which leads to allergic symptoms like inflammation, skin rash and constriction of the bronchioles (as in asthma).

The kind of proteins produced in our body against the allergens are called as :

1. Antigens
2. Immunoglobulins
3. Both (1) and (2)
4. Neither (1) nor (2)

Answer

Immunoglobulins

Reason — In an attempt to protect our body from these allergens, our immune system produces immunoglobulin proteins that are specific to the allergen.

Which of the following is not an allergic reaction ?

1. Asthma
2. Anaemia
3. Skin rashes
4. Dermatitis

Answer

Anaemia

Reason — Anaemia is a condition where the body does not have enough red blood cells. It is not triggered by the body's immune system's response to an allergen.

A systemic allergic response is termed as :

1. Prophylaxis
2. Asphyxiation
3. Anaphylaxis
4. Hypoxia

Answer

Anaphylaxis

Reason — A systemic allergic response is termed as Anaphylaxis.

Which of the following is not the entry route of allergens ?

1. Skin
2. Nose
3. Mouth
4. Ears

Answer

Ears

Reason — Allergens usually enter our body through skin, nose and mouth, but not through ears.

Name the following :

1. The scientist who coined the term 'allergy'.
2. The allergic reaction/ disease in which the lining of the nasal cavity becomes sensitive and inflamed.
3. The term used for an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to a substance that most other people do not react to.
4. The kind of allergic disease in which the muscular walls of the bronchioles contract and get narrower.
5. The inflammatory chemical which upon its release shows allergic symptoms such as inflammation, skin rash and construction of bronchioles.

Answer

1. Clemens Von Pirquet
2. Hay fever
3. Allergy
4. Asthma
5. Histamine

Match the terms given in column A with those of column B :

Answer

Fill in the blanks :

1. ............... allergy mainly occurs in the spring season.
2. A weak ............... system makes our body prone to allergies.
3. Our body produces a chemical called ............... as a response to allergens.
4. Milk-protein allergies are most common in ............... .
5. Bloating and vomiting are the symptoms of ............... allergy.

Answer

1. Pollen
2. Immune
3. Histamine
4. Children
5. Food

Unjumble the following words :

1. ALERLEGSN
2. ATGNINE
3. PLNOLE
4. ARGLYLE
5. HVSIE
6. HSMAITNEI
7. AAHILANPYXS
8. AAMHTS
9. IYINUMTM
10. IONITMANAFLM

Answer

1. ALERLEGSN → ALLERGENS
2. ATGNINE → ANTIGEN
3. PLNOLE → POLLEN
4. ARGLYLE → ALLERGY
5. HVSIE → HIVES
6. HSMAITNEI → HISTAMINE
7. AAHILANPYXS → ANAPHYLAXIS
8. AAMHTS → ASTHMA
9. IYINUMTM → IMMUNITY
10. IONITMANAFLM → INFLAMMATION

Define the term "allergy".

Answer

Allergy is defined as a number of conditions caused by hypersensitivity of one's immune system to allergens like dust, spores, pollen, insect stings, certain types of food and cloth, etc.

What are allergens ? Name any three allergens.

Answer

The substances that cause allergies are called allergens. Three common allergens are:

1. Dust
2. Spores
3. Insect sting

Which test is mostly favoured for testing allergy, prick test or blood test ? Why ?

Answer

Blood test is mostly favoured for testing allergy. An allergy blood test is quick and simple, and can be ordered by a licensed health care provider. Unlike skin-prick testing, a blood test can be performed irrespective of age, skin condition, medication, symptom, disease activity, and pregnancy. Thus, we can say that blood test is a better test as compared to prick test.

Name any three routes by which allergens normally enter in our body.

Answer

Three routes by which allergens normally enter in our body are:

1. Skin
2. Mouth
3. Nose

Name the two tests generally used to diagnose allergy and describe any one of them.

Answer

The two tests generally used to diagnose allergy are:

1. Skin prick test.
2. Blood testing

Blood testing — A sample of patient's blood is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Multiple allergens can be detected with a single blood sample. The test measures the concentration of specific antibodies in the blood. The quantitative allergy blood result can help determine what a patient is allergic to, help predict and follow the disease development, estimate the risk of a severe reaction, and explain cross-reactivity.