Brazil... Nuts! Trivia Quiz

Answer: An allergy involves the immune system, an intolerance doesn't

An allergy is a reaction to a substance that isn't normally harmful to humans. The immune system produces chemicals and attacks the substance as though it were dangerous. Intolerances cause symptoms (like diarrhea) when the digestive system cannot digest particular substances.

These reactions don't involve the immune system. Sensitivity is another type of reaction to a substance. A sensitivity to something, such as caffeine, means that the normal symptoms the substance causes will be exaggerated.

Answer: Hay fever

An allergy to pollen is sometimes called hay fever or allergic rhinitis. It is most common between spring and autumn, depending on the type of pollen a person is allergic to. All pollen is different, so unless they're incredibly unlucky, someone with hay fever will only experience symptoms for a short while - not the whole of spring, summer, and autumn!

Tree pollen is most common in spring and grass pollen is more common in summer months. Weed pollen is common towards the end of summer and at the start of autumn. As each plant's pollen is slightly different, a person may be more sensitive to one than another (a birch tree might cause a more severe reaction than an oak tree, for example).

Answer: Sneezing

Sometimes the symptoms of an allergic reaction can be very similar to the symptoms of a cold. Sneezing, coughing, and a blocked nose can all indicate an allergy. Sometimes allergens can cause a red, itchy rash on the skin, called hives. Hives might last only a few minutes as long as the allergen is no longer present. On the other hand, a rash could last a few days or even weeks.

Answer: Protein in their saliva

If someone is allergic to cats, it's usually protein in the cat's saliva, urine, and dander (dried flakes of skin) that is causing the problem. Some cats are branded 'hypoallergenic', usually because they shed less, have shorter hair, or are completely hairless. Cats often lick their fur, transferring the proteins to their hair. Cats with less hair may limit a sufferer's exposure to the allergens, but as it's not actually the hair that causes the problem; any cat will pose a risk.

Answer: False

In my experience, it's a common misconception that people who are allergic to food only have an allergic reaction when they eat the product they're allergic to. While that's true for intolerances, it's not true for allergies. For some, just inhaling the smell of the food can trigger a reaction. There are also food allergens in some non-food items. For example, soap or shampoo might contain tree nut oil, or pet food might contain milk. Someone who is allergic to those substances might have a rash if they touched them.

As I mentioned in the introduction, I'm severely allergic to Brazil nuts. If my friend had eaten them, then touched my hand, they would transfer the allergen to me. If I then touched my face, it would start to swell!

Answer: A severe reaction to an allergen

Anaphylaxis is also known as anaphylactic shock. It can occur suddenly and very quickly gets worse. Normally, during an allergic reaction the body releases histamines to deal with what it perceives to be a threat. Anaphylaxis happens when lots and lots of histamines are released.

It can cause swelling in the mouth and throat, lightheadedness and difficulty breathing, among other things. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and always needs immediate medical treatment. Even if someone appears to be coping with the reaction, it can get worse incredibly quickly and cause a loss of consciousness.

Answer: Adrenaline

People with diagnosed severe reactions are usually prescribed an adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) auto-injector. As soon as anaphylaxis begins, an adrenaline auto-injector should be used. There are different brands which work in slightly different ways, so if you ever have to administer adrenaline, make sure you know how to use the injector correctly (there are usually instructions in the packet or on the pen itself).

The NHS started to prescribe multiple auto-injectors because one isn't always enough to stop anaphylaxis. Any time adrenaline is used, an ambulance should be called. Even if adrenaline was used mistakenly or the allergy symptoms go away, adrenaline can have an effect on the heart rate and cause problems by itself.

Answer: Cross-contamination

People with food allergies always have to be wary of cross-contamination. Certain food labels in the UK must state which allergens are contained in their product, but sometimes you might find the phrase 'may contain...'. Often, food products state that they may contain traces of an allergen if that allergen is present in the factory (or warehouse, or anywhere else). A factory producing cakes, for example, might use nuts in its fruit cake. As nuts are used on site, the manufacturers cannot guarantee that there are absolutely no nut traces in their sponge cake, even if nuts are not listed on the ingredient list.

Cross-contamination can cause serious problems for people with allergies and intolerances. It's one of the reasons food hygiene is so important.

Answer: Skin prick test

In a skin prick test, drops of liquid containing the allergens being tested for is dropped onto the patient's arm. If they are allergic to any of the substances, a small bump will appear. The bigger the bump, the more severe the reaction. Patch tests are used to diagnose contact dermatitis.

They are similar to skin prick tests, but the substance is left on for longer. Doctors can also perform a blood test to check which antibodies are being produced. To diagnose food allergies, an elimination diet might be used to check which substances in a person's diet are causing their allergic reactions.

Answer: An allergic reaction usually begins within seconds of exposure

Usually, allergic reactions occur with seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen. Occasionally, the reaction will develop over a longer period of time. There is medication, like anti-histamines, that can reduce or eliminate symptoms, but the best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid the allergen altogether.