Short Questions (with Answers)
1. What is an allergy?
Answer : Allergy is when the body reacts to harmless things, like dust or pollen.
2. What are allergens?
Answer : Allergens are things that can cause allergies.
3. What are common signs of allergies?
Answer : Sneezing, skin rash, or breathing problems.
4. What do IgE antibodies do in allergies?
Answer : They react to different allergens in the body.
5. What are the two main types of allergens?
Answer : Seasonal and year-round allergens.
6. What is hay fever?
Answer : It is an allergy that makes your nose run and eyes itchy, usually in spring or fall.
7. What can cause anaphylactic shock?
Answer : Some foods, medicines, or insect bites can cause this dangerous reaction.
8. What things in the environment make allergies worse?
Answer : Smoking and pollution.
9. What is the allergy march?
Answer : It is how allergies can start mild but later cause serious problems like asthma.
10. What are some seasonal allergens?
Answer : Pollen from plants and mold in the air.
11. What is a common allergen in North America?
Answer : Ragweed pollen.
12. What are year-round allergens?
Answer : Things like dust, pet hair, or indoor mold.
13. What are anti-histamines used for?
Answer : They help stop allergy symptoms for a short time.
14. What is an acaricide?
Answer : A spray or chemical that kills dust mites.
15. How can air conditioners help with allergies?
Answer : They clean the air and reduce allergens indoors.
16. What is ECP?
Answer : A protein that shows how bad the allergy reaction is.
17. What happens in food allergies?
Answer : People may feel itchy, swell up, or have stomach problems.
18. What happens if you are around allergens too long?
Answer : You can become more sensitive and get allergies.
19. Why should we avoid feather pillows?
Answer : They can collect dust and cause allergies.
20. What is a good way to avoid allergies at home?
Answer : Keep your house clean and use air filters.
Medium Questions (with Answers)
1. What are the best ways to prevent mold allergies at home?
Answer : Keep the house dry and ventilated to stop mold growth. Avoid using carpets and indoor plants. Clean damp areas like bathrooms and kitchens regularly. Use dehumidifiers to reduce moisture and air filters to clean the air.
2. What are some symptoms of an allergic reaction?
Answer : Allergies can cause sneezing, runny nose, red and itchy eyes, or skin rashes. In more severe cases, they can lead to breathing trouble or even a dangerous condition called anaphylactic shock. Symptoms vary depending on the allergen.
3. What is the role of IgE antibodies in allergies?
Answer : IgE antibodies are part of the immune system that reacts to allergens. They recognize specific allergens and cause the body to release chemicals like histamine. This reaction leads to inflammation, itching, and other allergy symptoms.
4. What are seasonal allergens?
Answer : Seasonal allergens come at certain times of the year, like pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. For example, ragweed pollen is common in autumn. Outdoor mold spores also increase during certain months. These allergens cause issues like hay fever.
5. What are perennial allergens?
Answer : Perennial allergens are found all year round. These include dust mites, pet dander, and indoor molds. They can cause sneezing, itching, or asthma, especially in humid homes. These allergens are not seasonal but always present.
6. What is anaphylactic shock, and how is it dangerous?
Answer : Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction. It happens suddenly and can cause breathing problems, low blood pressure, or even death. Common triggers are foods like nuts, medicines, or insect stings. It needs immediate treatment, like an injection of epinephrine.
7. What is the allergy march?
Answer : The allergy march is how allergies can worsen over time. For example, it may start with eczema or stomach problems in childhood. Later, it might lead to asthma or breathing issues. This progression shows how allergies develop step by step.
8. How do environmental factors increase allergy risks?
Answer : Pollution and smoking make allergies worse by irritating the airways. Pollutants in the air, like dust and chemicals, can trigger allergic reactions. They weaken the immune system, making people more sensitive to allergens.
9. How can anti-histamines help with allergies?
Answer : Anti-histamines block histamine, which is released during an allergic reaction. This can stop symptoms like itching, sneezing, or swelling. However, they do not treat the root cause of the allergy, only provide temporary relief.
10. What precautions should you take if you have pollen allergies?
Answer : Stay indoors during high pollen times, like early morning or windy days. Keep windows and doors closed and wear a mask when outside. Avoid gardening or mowing the lawn during pollen season.
11. What steps can be taken to reduce dust mites at home?
Answer : Use special covers for mattresses and pillows to stop dust mites. Wash bedding in hot water every week. Avoid carpets and use synthetic materials instead of wool or feathers. Keeping the home dry and clean also helps.
12. What is Eosinophilic Cationic Protein (ECP), and why is it important?
Answer : ECP is a protein found in certain white blood cells. It helps doctors check the level of allergy-related inflammation in the body. Measuring ECP can help track how well allergy treatments are working.
13. Why should you avoid indoor plants if you have mold allergies?
Answer : Indoor plants can create dampness, which allows mold to grow. Mold spores in the air can trigger allergies, especially in people with asthma or hay fever. It’s better to keep indoor spaces dry and mold-free.
14. What are the benefits and risks of inhaled steroids for allergies?
Answer : Inhaled steroids reduce inflammation in the airways, helping with asthma and severe allergies. They are effective if used properly. However, overusing them can cause side effects, like weakening the immune system.
15. Why is early treatment important for allergies?
Answer : Early treatment can stop allergies from getting worse over time. If ignored, mild symptoms like sneezing can develop into serious problems like asthma. Early care can also reduce the risk of life-threatening reactions.
Long Questions (with Answers)
1. What are some common causes of food allergies, and how can they be managed?
Answer : Food allergies happen when the body reacts to certain foods like nuts, milk, or eggs. Symptoms include swelling, stomach pain, or itching. Avoiding these foods is the best way to manage the allergy. Reading food labels carefully is important. In severe cases, carrying an epinephrine injection can save lives.
2. How do indoor allergens differ from outdoor allergens?
Answer : Indoor allergens, like dust mites and pet hair, are present all year and thrive in homes. Outdoor allergens, like pollen, vary by season and depend on weather conditions. Managing indoor allergens includes cleaning and removing carpets. Outdoor allergens can be avoided by staying inside during high-pollen times.
3. What is the process of diagnosing an allergic disease?
Answer : Doctors check your family history and symptoms to diagnose allergies. Physical tests and blood tests can help identify the allergen. A “skin prick test” is often used to see how the skin reacts to allergens. This helps decide the best treatment and avoid severe complications.
4. What are the dangers of untreated allergies?
Answer : Untreated allergies can worsen and cause serious health problems like asthma. For some, a sudden reaction like anaphylactic shock can be life-threatening. Constant exposure to allergens can damage the immune system. Early care helps avoid these risks.
5. What are the three main ways to treat allergies?
Answer : Allergies can be treated by avoiding allergens, using medicines, and taking allergy shots. Avoidance involves staying away from things like pollen or pets. Medicines, like anti-histamines, relieve symptoms. Allergy shots gradually reduce sensitivity to allergens over time.
6. Why are pollen masks useful for people with allergies?
Answer : Pollen masks stop allergens in the air, like pollen or mold spores, from being inhaled. They are especially helpful during high-pollen seasons or windy days. Wearing them while cleaning or gardening also prevents symptoms like sneezing and itching.
7. How can air filters and dehumidifiers help people with allergies?
Answer : Air filters remove allergens like dust, pollen, and pet hair from the air. Dehumidifiers reduce moisture, stopping mold growth and dust mites. Both devices make the indoor environment safer for people with allergies.
8. What are the effects of histamine during an allergic reaction?
Answer : Histamine causes symptoms like itching, swelling, and runny nose. It is released when the body reacts to allergens. While it helps the immune system fight harmful things, in allergies, it overreacts to harmless substances. Blocking histamine can reduce these symptoms.
9. What causes allergies in people?
Answer : Allergies happen when the immune system reacts to harmless things like pollen, food, or dust. These things are called allergens. The body sees them as dangerous and tries to fight them, causing symptoms like itching, sneezing, or rashes. Smoking and pollution can make allergies worse.
10. What are some common misconceptions about allergies?
Answer : Many people think allergies are not serious, but they can be life-threatening. Some believe only children get allergies, but adults can develop them too. Others think allergy medicines are a cure, but they only control symptoms. Proper treatment and awareness are crucial.
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