This document discusses allergies and allergens. It defines allergies as an abnormal immune response and describes common allergens like pollen, mold, dust and foods. It then covers different types of allergies and their symptoms. Diagnosis methods like skin prick tests are outlined along with treatments using medications and immunotherapy. Anaphylaxis is defined as a severe allergic reaction requiring epinephrine. Finally, different categories of allergens are defined such as inhalant, ingestant, contactant and their examples are provided.

2. ALLERGIES AND ALLERGENS
SEROLOGY TECHNIQUES

3. Presented to:
Mam Hira
PRESENTED BY:
 Uzma Afzal
 Nida Noor
 Anashra Khalid
 Faizan Ajmal
 Usman Taj

4. What is Allergy
Allergies are caused by an abnormal response of the immune system. The immune
system reacts to a usually harmless substance in the environment. This substance can
be pollen, mold, dust, animal dander, certain foods, insect stings, etc. and is. referred
to as an allergen.

5. Types of Allergy
 Food Allergy
 Skin Allergy
 Dust Allergy
 Insect Sting Allergy
 Pet Allergies
 Eye Allergy
 Drug Allergies
 Allergic Rhinitis
 Latex Allergy
 Mold Allergy
 Cockroach Allergy

7. Food Allergies
Food Allergies Food allergies are estimated to affect 4%-6% of children, and 4% of adults. It is most common
in babies and children, but can appear at any age. The most common type of food allergens include:
Eggs
Milk
Peanuts
Tree nuts
Fish
Shellfish
Wheat
Soy

8. What is an allergic reaction
A person is exposed to an allergen by inhaling it, swallowing it, or getting in on their
skin. After a person is exposed, there is a sequence of events that create an allergic
reaction:
 The body produces an antibody, IgE, to bind the allergen
 These antibodies attach to a mast cell, which can be found in the airways,
intestines, and elsewhere
 Allergens bind to the IgE, which is attached to the mast cell, which causes the
mast cells to release a variety of chemicals into the blood such as histamine.
 Histamine causes most of the symptoms of an allergic reaction

9. What are symptoms of an allergy reaction
 Common symptoms of an allergic reaction to inhaled or skin allergen include:
 Itchy, watery eyes
 Sneezing
 Itchy, runny nose
 Rashes
 Feeling tired or ill
Hives Food allergies can cause
 Stomach cramps
 Vomiting
Diarrhea Insect sting allergies can cause:
 Swelling
 Redness
 Pain

10. Allergy Diagnosis
 If you or someone you know has allergy symptoms, an allergist or immunologist
can help with a diagnosis. You must first find out what you are allergic to in order
to have effective treatment.
 Allergy testing can identify the specific allergens that trigger your reactions.
There is skin testing, as well as allergy blood tests. Skin tests give fast results and
usually cost less than blood tests.
 AAA Blood tests are helpful because it only involves a single needle prick,
however it costs more. All test results must be interpreted with the medical
history.

11. Allergy treatment
 There are two types of allergy treatment
1. Medication
 Decongestants and antihistamines are the most common. They help to reduce a
stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing or itching. Corticosteroids treat inflammation in
the nose.
2. Immunotherapy
 A preventive treatment for allergic reactions that involves giving gradual increase
doses of the allergen. The slow increase of the allergen allows the immune system
to become less sensitive to the allergen.

12. What is Anaphylaxis
 Anaphylaxis is a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction. The most common
anaphylactic reactions are to food, insect stings, medications, and latex.
 Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical treatment, including an injection of
epinephrine along with a trip to an emergency room. If not treated properly,
anaphylaxis can be fatal.

13. Anaphylaxisn symptoms
 Symptoms of anaphylaxis typically start within 5-30 minutes of coming into contact with the allergen.
• Warning signs may include
• Red rash, with hives/welts, usually itchy
• Swollen throat or areas of the body
• Wheezing
• Trouble breathing
• Hoarse voice
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach Cramping
• Trouble swallowing

14. Anaphylaxis treatment
The best way to manage anaphylaxis is:
• Avoid allergens
• Be prepared for an emergency If you are at risk for anaphylaxis, carry auto-
injectable epinephrine (often referred to as an epi-pen).

15. What is Allergens
 The substances that causes an allergic reaction are known as allergens.

16. Treatment of allergens
1) Quercetin
a natural derived compound helps to stabilize mast cells and prevents them from
release of histamine source: citrus fruits, onions, apples, tomato etc
2) stinging nettle
treat allergies but without unwanted side effects of dry mouth and drowsiness .
inhibits body’s ability to produce histamine
3) neti pots and saline rinse
4) Butter bur

17. Skin testing
 Skin Testing Allergy skin test are used to find out which substances cause a
person to have an allergic reaction
 SKIN PRICK TEST
 SKIN INJECTION TEST
 PATCH TEST

19. Types of Allergens
 Inhalant allergens
 Ingestant allergens
 Contactant allergens
 Injectant allergens
 Infectant allergens
 Infestant allergens

20. Types of allergens
Inhalant Allergens;
 Inhalant allergies caused by environmental factors such as pollen, pets, house dust
mites and moulds. Such allergies are a reaction by the immune system to a normally
harmless substance.
 This is because the immune system is designed to fight off foreign bodies. When it
can't find infection to fight, it looks for something else such as an allergy to react
against.
 Causes of common 'inhalant' allergies
High fever
Dust mites
Mould spores

21. Inhalant Allergen

22. Ingestant allergens
 A substance that is or may be taken into the body by mouth or through the
digestive system.
 Food allergens ordinarily cause gastrointestinal symptoms, but they may also
cause skin rash, puffed lips and tongue, migraine, rhinitis, or other more serious
effects, such as bronchial asthma .
 Severe cases of eczema of the hands have been caused by allergenic foods.

24. Contactant Allergens
 “Any allergens they produce manifestations of hypersensitivity at the site of skin
or other mucous.”
 For Example: Substances you come in contact with that irritate the skin such as
poison , cosmetics , detergents , fabrics and dyes cause poison dermatitis.

26. Injectants Allergens
 The injectants ( injectable preparations and insects) cause allergy in a
hypersensitive person, allergic conditions is known injectant allergy.

27. Infectant Allergens
 The bacterial metabolic waste s are considered as infectant allergens
 Numerous living organisms may cause allergy through the products they release
during their metabolism in the human body.
 Bronchietasis: an example of infectant allergy
 The chronic bacterial infection of the bronchioles, where in the constant
presence of bacterial wastes may sensitize the allergic individual is the of the
example

28. Infestant Allergens
 In a manner somewhat similar to the infectants, parasitic organisms may sensitize
the human body.
 Invasions of hookworms, tapeworms, pinworms, threadworms, dermatophytes
and other forms have caused allergic response in susceptible individuals.
 Growth products and metabolic wastes of these parasites are constantly present
in the body and referred to as infestant allergens.