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ALLERGIES Nikhil Potpally period 6/7
Introduction • What are allergies? • Allergies are abnormal immune system reactions to things that are typically harmless to most people.
Discussion QUESTION: • How many of you have allergies or know someone who does?
DISCUSSION QUESTION • How common do you think allergies are ? • Statistic: 20% of Americans have allergies
Terms • Allergen- A substance that causes an allergic reaction. • Immunotherapy- The prevention or treatment of disease with substances that stimulate the immune response • Allergist- A doctor that diagnoses, treats, and manages allergy-related conditions • Histamine-A naturally occurring substance that is released by the immune system after being exposed to an allergen. Also, responsible for many of the symptoms of an allergy • Antibody- specialized proteins produced by lymphoid cells (B cells) that circulate in the blood. Antibodies seek and attach to foreign proteins, microorganisms, or toxins in order to neutralize them. They are part of the immune system.
DISCUSSION QUESTION • Which type of allergy (food, seasonal, pet, drug, or other) do you think is the worst? Why?
TESTING • SKIN TEST
TESTING • PRICK TEST (and intradermal testing)
TREATMENTS • 1) AVOIDING ALLERGENSex: pets, nickel-plated jewelry, or specific foods may be relatively easy to avoid, but pollen may not • 2) MEDICATIONS • -antihistamines • 3) Immunotherapy (allergy shots)-used for pollen, animal dander, dust mites
CLASS ACTIVITY • Crossword puzzle
VIDEO • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8jZCVY4Y8U