References

References Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Roberts, K., & Walter, P. (2002, January 1). Innate immunity. NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26846/ Allergy testing. (2014, March 7). Kallergy. https://kallergy.com/conditions/allergies/allergy-testing Asthma allergy centre. (2020, March 1). Asthma Allergy Centre. https://asthmaallergycentre.com/allergies-interfering-with-your-life-discover-the-benefits-of-allergy-desensitization/ Asthma medications: Know your options. (2020, June 19). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/asthma-medications/art-20045557 Asthma: Steps in testing and … Continue reading References →

Diagnoses and Treatments

Allergic Rhinitis Diagnosis The diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (AR, nose inflammation caused by allergies) is made by the patient’s medical history, a physical examination, and if needed, nasal endoscopy. In addition, some patients may be tested for allergen-specific IgE using skin prick tests or tests for serum-specific IgE. A skin prick test is when distinct … Continue reading Diagnoses and Treatments →

Type IV Hypersensitivity: Atopic Dermatitis

Skin allergies (referred to as contact dermatitis clinically)  are generally a type IV hypersensitivity, also known as T cell-mediated hypersensitivity or delayed-type hypersensitivity. It takes 48-72 hours for the TH1 cells to get to the site of exposure to the allergen. The molecules that cause contact dermatitis are called haptens. Some haptens can be oxidized … Continue reading Type IV Hypersensitivity: Atopic Dermatitis →

Allergic Skin Inflammations

Skin allergies, also called contact dermatitis, are generally a type IV hypersensitivity. Contact dermatitis may take up to two weeks to appear depending on what has entered the body. The substances that cause contact dermatitis are called haptens (examples are fragrance, dyes, nickel, and the molecules found in poison ivy).  An example of a skin … Continue reading Allergic Skin Inflammations →

A More In-depth View Of Airway Allergies

An allergen is an antigen that one has an allergic reaction to from outside of the body that one breathes in, eats, or touches. Some examples of allergens that can be breathed/ taken in are foods, mold, pollen, dander, etc. There are two steps to an allergic reaction, sensitization (the first exposure) and subsequent exposure. … Continue reading A More In-depth View Of Airway Allergies →

Allergies in The Airways

An allergen is a foreign substance that one has an allergic reaction to. Allergens come from outside of the body: you can breathe them in, touch them, or eat them. Some examples of allergens are foods, mold, pollen, dander, etc. There are two major phases to an allergic reaction. The first phase, initial exposure, also … Continue reading Allergies in The Airways →

A More In-depth View Of Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses

Innate Immune Response The innate immune response, also known as the non-specific immune response, is the first line of defense against pathogens. Its purpose is to prevent the movement of pathogens into and throughout the body. It is known as the non-specific immune response as it generally blocks non-self pathogens (a bacteria, virus, or microorganism … Continue reading A More In-depth View Of Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses →

Immune System 101

The dendritic cell’s job is to take the foreign object and process its proteins (the building blocks that make up the object) into small chunks. The dendritic cells then present those chunks (called antigens) on their surface. T cells, adaptive immune cells that help fight infection by activating other immune cells and killing infected cells, … Continue reading Immune System 101 →