Ask Allergy Expert

Acetylcholine: It is a chemical present in the body which helps to carry message from nerves. The result of it tightens the airway muscles

Adrenaline: Adrenaline is very useful for treating anaphylaxis. Adrenaline is hormone which is released by adrenal glands. The result of it is increased heart rate, narrows the blood vessels in the skin and dilates the airway.

Allergy: Sometimes our body’s defense system (i.e: immune system) when reacts to harmless substance to most of the people is called Allergy. Form more information on allergy you can follow “…..”

Allergen: Allergen is a substance (harmless substance) which causes the immune system to react. During such reactions the immune system starts producing IgE and triggers the allergic reaction.

Allergic crease: It is a horizontal line that develops across the nose. Allergic crease is caused due to allergic salute.

Allergic salute: when the nose is wiped upwards to stop it itching or running.

Allergic shiner: Because of the allergy sometimes dark circles are formed around the eyes.

Anaphylaxis: When any person experiences an allergic reaction, it is called as anaphylaxis. The other name for anaphylaxis is anaphylactic shock.

Antibody: Lymphocytes produces protein in the blood. This protein is used to neutralize an antigen. Antibody mediated cytotoxic hypersensitivity:

Anticholinergic: It is the bronchodilator that works by neutralizing the effect of acetylcholine.

Antigen: Antigen is a substance that triggers the immune system to produce antibodies.

Antihistamine: It is the medicine which helps to nullify the effect f histamine. This medicine also helps in reducing the sneezing, itching and runny nose.

Anti inflammatory medication: The medicine which help in reducing the inflammation.

Atopy: It is the health condition were the person have asthma, eczema, rhinitis and urticaria.

B-cells: There are broken mast cells in your body. And when the white cells of the body tries to bind with the broken mast cells and causes inflammation.

Basophils: These cells releases histamine during an allergic reaction.

Bronchodilator: It is a drug which helps in widening the airway in the lungs. This drug is used when the patient is not able to breath.

Bronchi: Bronchi connects the lungs to the windpipe through large air passages.

Bronchioles: Bronchioles are small air passages in the lungs.

CAP-RAST: CAP-RAST is the Radio allergoSorbent Test. CAP-RAST test is used for finding the presence of IgE antibodies in the blood.

Chemoattractants: Mast cells releases some chemicals this chemical is called chemoattractants. This chemical causes inflammation.

Cilia: Cilia is a hair like projections in mucous membrane of the nose that hlp the nasal passages remain clear.

Consumed allergen: Allergens that causes a reaction when eaten or drunk.

Contact allergen: Allergen that causes a raction when it touches the skin.

Corticosteroids: anti-inflammatory drugs similar t ot natural corticosteroid hormones produced by the adrenal glands.

Cross-sensitivity: A person allergic to one allergen also reacts the same way to another allergen.

Cytokines: Protein molecules released by cells in response to activation or injury. This protein molecules causes inflammation.

Dander: Dander are the small skin scales from animal skin. Dander is a common allergen.

Degranulation: Degranulation is the release of chemicals like histamine, leukotriene and chemoattractants from the mast cells.

Delayed hypersensitivity (DTH) : Delayed hypersensitivity is when the allergy symptoms appear after 24 - 72 hours.

Desensitization: Desensitization is another name for immunotherapy. In this therapy small and minute substances of the allergen are injected and the dose is gradually increased over a period of time.

ELISA test: Enzyme-linked immunoSorbent Assay is used to detect IgE antibodies to specific allergens.

Eosinophils: white blood cells that are attracted to broken mast cells and causes inflammation.

Histamine blocking agents: It is a drug which impedes the stimulation of cells by histamine.

Immune-complex-mediated hypersensitivity: when antibodies and antigens are too large to be destroyed by leukocytes and migrate to tissues such as lungs and skin. This causes inflammation also known as Type III antibody mediated, non-IgE hypersensitivity.

Immune system: Immune system is made up of proteins and cells that protect the body from harmful or infectious microscopic life forms like bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Immunoglobulin: It is an antibody that is produced by the body to attack potentially harmful life forms.

• Immunoglobulin A (IgA) : This immunoglobulin protects our respiratory and digestive systems. It is found in tears and saliva.
• Immunoglobulin M (IgM) : This immunoglobulin forms a temporary antibody. This antibody is formed when the body senses or identifies that a new attacker is invading the body.
• Immunoglobulin G (IgG) : This immunoglobulin takes over from IgM and forms a permanent antibody.
• Immunoglobulin D (IgD)
• Immunoglobulin E (IgE) : It is an antibody which is produced by our body in small amounts. This Immunoglobulin is produced even if the person is not having any allergies, but the amount of production increases if the person has some allergies.

Inflammation: It is some sort of swelling and if this swelling is not treated properly then it is followed by injury.

Inhalant allergen: Allergens that can enter your body through nose, eyes, sinuses etc. The allergens are like fumes and very small particles. After inhaling such substances the body triggers reaction against them.

Injected allergen: Allergen that enter in your body through injections. Many people are allergic to some drugs and insect stings.

Intolerance: Enzymes are used to break down the substance into multiple parts. When the body stops producing or is not able to produce enough amount of such enzymes then the body shows such reactions which is called as intolerance.

Leukotriene: Leukotriene is a chemical which is released by a mast cell which causes an allergic reaction by constricting the smooth muscle in the bronchioles.

Lymphocyte: Lymphocyte is also called as B-cells. The white blood cells are attracted to broken mast cells. Further it causes inflammation.

Mast cell: Mast cells are cells to which antibodies attach themselves. These cells are found mainly in connective tissues like dermis or inner most layer of skin. These release the histamine.

Mucus: Mucus is a clear and sticky film on the surface of the lining of the nose and lungs. Mucus helps to filter out unwanted particles from getting into the body.

PEFR: Peak Expiry Flow Rate. It is the maximum flow of air from the lungs when it’s forced out after a deep breath in.

PGE2: Prostaglandin E2, which causes inflammation.

Phagocytes: These cells are the scavenging cells of our body, they destroy the invading protein.

Pollen: Pollen is the male fertilizing agent of trees, grass, flowers and weeds. Pollen are the major cause of allergic reaction.

Protein: Protein is a chemical combination of hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Protein is a part of living organism.

RAST Test: The RAST test is also called as RadioAllergoSorbent Test. This test is used for detecting IgE antibodies.

Respiratory system: The working of group of organs for carrying the oxygen from the air to different part of the body and throwing out the carbon-di-oxide.

Sensitization: Repeated exposure to an antigen that results in the production of IgE, making the sufferer more likely to have an allergic reaction.

Sensitivity: The body’s reaction similar to a normal side-effect produced by that substance, but exaggerated.

Sinus: It is an air cavities within the facial bones lined by mucous membranes.