A Basic Quiz On Allergy! Trivia Test! Trivia

1. Allergy symptoms can range from sneezing and a runny nose to a skin rash, heartburn, a stomachache, or severe shortness of breath.

True

False

The correct answer is: True

Different allergies affect various parts of the body and cause a number of different symptoms. Allergies to pollen or cats may bring about sneezing, wheezing, stuffy nose, asthma, itchy eyes, mouth, and throat. Drug, food, and insect-sting allergies may irritate the skin or cause it to itch, redden, or swell. Food allergies may cause stomachache, indigestion, and heartburn. Both food and drug allergies may lead to joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. Some allergic reactions lead to severe and life-threatening shortness of breath. A severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can be fatal. Symptoms include a sense of warmth, flushing, itching, swelling in the throat, asthma or wheezing, light-headedness from a drop in blood pressure, nausea or vomiting, or stomach cramps, this severe allergic reaction can result in death.

Explanation

The correct answer is: True

Different allergies affect various parts of the body and cause a number of different symptoms. Allergies to pollen or cats may bring about sneezing, wheezing, stuffy nose, asthma, itchy eyes, mouth, and throat. Drug, food, and insect-sting allergies may irritate the skin or cause it to itch, redden, or swell. Food allergies may cause stomachache, indigestion, and heartburn. Both food and drug allergies may lead to joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. Some allergic reactions lead to severe and life-threatening shortness of breath. A severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can be fatal. Symptoms include a sense of warmth, flushing, itching, swelling in the throat, asthma or wheezing, light-headedness from a drop in blood pressure, nausea or vomiting, or stomach cramps, this severe allergic reaction can result in death.

2. The best way to prevent allergy attacks is to avoid your own allergens, the substances that trigger these reactions.

True

False

The correct answer is: True

Ask your doctor for tips on avoiding your allergens. For instance, if you are allergic to dairy products, try soy-based substitutes. For respiratory allergies, get a high-efficiency air cleaner to remove pollen and mold from the air in your home. To avoid drug-related allergy attacks, inform (or remind) all your healthcare providers of your allergy every time they prescribe, dispense or recommend a medicine for you.

Explanation

The correct answer is: True

Ask your doctor for tips on avoiding your allergens. For instance, if you are allergic to dairy products, try soy-based substitutes. For respiratory allergies, get a high-efficiency air cleaner to remove pollen and mold from the air in your home. To avoid drug-related allergy attacks, inform (or remind) all your healthcare providers of your allergy every time they prescribe, dispense or recommend a medicine for you.

3. When you have an allergic reaction, your body's immune system is overreacting to a harmless substance.

True

False

The correct answer is: True

In people with allergies, an overly sensitive immune system, which normally is poised to destroy bacteria, viruses, and other dangerous invaders, mistakenly identifies normally harmless substances (allergens), such as dust or food, as a threat. The body then produces antibodies to destroy the allergens. As a side product the antibodies trigger a chain of events that leads to the release of a variety of chemicals, including histamine. Histamine causes many of the symptoms associated with allergies.

Explanation

The correct answer is: True

In people with allergies, an overly sensitive immune system, which normally is poised to destroy bacteria, viruses, and other dangerous invaders, mistakenly identifies normally harmless substances (allergens), such as dust or food, as a threat. The body then produces antibodies to destroy the allergens. As a side product the antibodies trigger a chain of events that leads to the release of a variety of chemicals, including histamine. Histamine causes many of the symptoms associated with allergies.

4. Ragweed causes about 90% of all allergies.

True

False

The correct answer is: False

While ragweed is a prime culprit in respiratory allergies, many other common substances -- from plants to medicines -- trigger allergic reactions, too. The long list includes grasses, molds, dust, animal dander (tiny skin flakes), cow's milk, peanuts, wheat, shellfish, corn, insulin and penicillin.

Explanation

The correct answer is: False

While ragweed is a prime culprit in respiratory allergies, many other common substances -- from plants to medicines -- trigger allergic reactions, too. The long list includes grasses, molds, dust, animal dander (tiny skin flakes), cow's milk, peanuts, wheat, shellfish, corn, insulin and penicillin.

5. Regular use of antihistamines can cure allergies.

True

False

The correct answer is: False

Antihistamines only help relieve allergy symptoms, they do not cure the allergy. For more severe symptoms, prescription corticosteroid or cromolyn drugs may be used.

Immunotherapy, or allergy shots are the only treatment that can cure allergies altogether. This treatment is successful for curing allergies in 70 percent to 80 percent of people who receive it to treat for respiratory allergies. It takes one to three years to complete the therapy.

Explanation

The correct answer is: False

Antihistamines only help relieve allergy symptoms, they do not cure the allergy. For more severe symptoms, prescription corticosteroid or cromolyn drugs may be used.

Immunotherapy, or allergy shots are the only treatment that can cure allergies altogether. This treatment is successful for curing allergies in 70 percent to 80 percent of people who receive it to treat for respiratory allergies. It takes one to three years to complete the therapy.