SHREE KRISHNA PUBLIC SCHOOL

BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

TOPIC:-- Asthma & allergic reaction

SUBMITTED TO:-- SUBMITTED BY:-

Dr. PRIYA SHARMA HARSH PARSAI
(PRINCIPAL & PGT BIOLOGY TEACHER)
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am highly indebted to Mrs ________________ (PGT Biology)

for her guidance and supervision as well as for providing
necessary information regarding the project and also for her
support in completing the project.

My sincere thanks to honorable Respected Principal Mrs. Priya

Sharma for giving me an opportunity to make a project on
Asthma & Allergic reaction.

I would like to express my gratitude towards my parents for

their kind cooperation and encouragement which helped me in
completion of project. I would like to thank and appreciate my
classmates who helped me in completion of project.
HARSH PARSAI
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Harsh Parsai a student of class XII of

Shree Krishna Public School has successfully completed
this research on the mentioned Biology project under my
guidance during the year 2023-2024.

SIGNATURE OF EXTERNAL

Dr. Priya Sharma

(P.G.T Biology) SIGNATURE OF PRINCIPAL
.
 INDEX

S.No TOPIC
1 Introduction
2 Cause of allergy
3 Different type of allergy
4 Anaphylaxis
5 Diagnosis & Tests
6 Asthma
7 Bibliography
 INTRODUCTION
What is asthma ?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease affecting people of all ages. It is
caused by inflammation and muscle tightening around the
airways, which makes it harder to breathe.

Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath

and chest tightness. These symptoms can be mild or severe and
can come and go over time.

What is allergy?
Allergies are your body’s reaction to a normally harmless
substance such as pollen, molds, animal dander, latex,certain
foods and insect stings.
Allergy symptoms range from mild – rash or hives, itchiness,
runny nose, watery/red eyes – to life-threatening. Treatments
include antihistamines, decongestants,nasal steroids, asthma
medicines and immunotherapy.
If someone is prone to allergies, the first time the person is
exposed to a specific allergen (such as pollen), the body
responds by producing allergic (IgE) antibodies. The job of
these antibodies is to find the allergens and help remove them
from the body system. As a result, a chemical called histamine is
released and causes symptoms of allergies.
Causes of Allergy
Interaction of Genetic and environmental
factors leads to the development of the allergy

1.Genetic predisposition
2.Environmental Factors:
A broad range of allergen has been found in
India owing to climatic variation, diverse
vegetation, and different food habits

o Exposure to allergens or irritants may trigger

the allergic reaction
 Dust mite droppings
 Animal dander
 Pollens grains
 Fungal spores
 Insect sting/bites
 Latex (natural rubber)
o Diet
o Medications
 o Pollutant
 Tobacco smoke
 Exhaust fumes
o Exposure to microorganism [bacteria and
viruses] during childhood

The major routes of allergen exposure in India are

 Inhalation (airborne pollen grains triggers

asthma)
 Contact (contact dermatitis)
 Ingestion (food allergy)
 DIFFERENT TYPE OF ALLERGY
POLLEN ALLERGY
Seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever, is an allergic response to
pollen. It causes inflammation and swelling of the lining of nose
and of the protective tissue of your eyes
(conjunctiva).Symptoms include sneezing, congestion (feeling
stuffy), and itchy, watery eyes, nose and mouth. Treatment
options include over-the-counter and prescription oral
antihistamines, anti-leukotrienes, nasal steroids, nasal
antihistamines and nasal cromolyn. In some people, allergic
asthma symptoms (wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing,
and/ or chest tightness) can because by exposure to pollen.

Symptoms can be reduced by

avoiding pollen. Stay indoors when pollen counts are high, close
your windows, and use air conditioning.
TREATMENT
ANTIHISTAMINES: These over the counter medications can come in
the form of pills, nasal sprays, or liquids. Antihistamines usually relieve
allergy symptoms like sneezing and itchy nose & eyes
 DUST MITES
Dust mites are tiny organisms that live in dust and in
the fibres of household objects, such as pillows,
mattresses, carpet, and upholstery. Dust mites grow
in warm, humid areas.
The allergen that triggers the immune system and
cause allergic problems is found mainly in the faeces
of the house dust mites. These droppings are very
dry, they fragment easily and the fine particles
disperse into air. The particles settle quickly into our
pillows,mattresses, duvets, carpets and are difficult
to eradicate. This means it is difficult to removethe
source of the problems and prevent allergic
symptoms.
What are the symptoms of house dust mite allergy?
Symptoms of house dust mite and pet allergies include-
Rhinitis- This is an inflammation of the lining of the
nose. Typically, you may have a runny nose, nasal
stuffiness, sneezing, itching or a combination of these.
 Conjunctivitis- Generally, this would mean watery,
itchy eyes- sometimes with redness.

 Itchy skin.
 Postnasal drip.
 Cough.
 MOLD
Molds are tiny fungi (like Penicillium) with spores that
float in the air like pollen. Mold is a common trigger for
allergies. Mold can be found indoors in damp areas, such
as the basement, kitchen, or bathroom, as well as outdoors
in grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch or under mushrooms. Mold
spores reach a peak during hot, humid weather .
What are its symptom?
Sneezing: Persistent sneezing is a tell-tale sign of a mold
allergy. Histamine is one of the most reliable weapons
our immune system wields. This compound, which the
immune system releases under threat, elicits responses
that purge an immune system’s trigger from the body.
These can include itchiness, tearing, and, most commonly,
sneezing and coughing. The overreaction of a histamine
response is why we so often take antihistamines as an
over-the-counter response to allergic reactions. By
suppressing this overreaction, we can avoid some of these
uncomfortable allergy .
Coughing: Another one of the most immediate symptoms
of a mold allergy is a dry and scratchy throat, prompting
a nagging cough. In some cases, mold can cause heavier
coughs as well. Mucus and histamine production can lead
to persistent coughing as your body tries to clear the
throat of mucus buildup. Treat your cough using hot tea
with lemon and honey, cough drops ,or ginger root. Most
of all, try to identify the source of the mold allergy and
remove it from your surroundings, if possible.
Asthma Attacks: Sometimes, a mold allergy can go
beyond what feels like the common cold. Mold spores can
reach the lungs and trigger asthma attacks. Most
pernicious about a mold allergy that progresses to this
stage is that one need not be in the presence of a great
deal of mold to have an attack.
 Allergy to Pets

Animal allergens are the second most common

cause of allergic reactions. The allergens that trigger
the allergic response are found in animal saliva, skin
and urine. When animals groom themselves, they
lick and the saliva coats the skin, fur or feathers.
The skin cells covered in saliva are shed (this is
called animal dander) along with loose hairs and
fur. Even so called hairless breeds of cats and dogs
can cause problems. Additionally, pets can have
flaky skin complaints, like eczema and so can spread
large amounts of dander.
 Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is the severest form of allergic reaction. It is a medical
emergency and can be life threatening. Anaphylaxis can develop
quickly, with symptoms appearing within minutes or hours of exposure
to the allergen.

Research suggests that anaphylaxis most commonly affects the skin

and respiratory system.

Some symptoms include:

 hives, flushing, and itchiness

 difficulty breathing
 wheezing
 swelling
 low blood pressure
 changes in heart rate
 dizziness and fainting
 loss of consciousness

Recognizing these symptoms can be crucial to receiving timely

treatment
 Diagnosis
If a person believes that they may have an allergy, their doctor will be
able to help them identify what is causing the reaction.

The person should be ready to explain:

 any symptoms they have noticed

 when and how often they occur

 what seems to cause them

 any family history of allergies

 whether or not other household members have a similar reaction.

Tests

Below are some examples of allergy tests:

 Blood tests: These measure the levels of IgE antibodies to

specific allergens in the immune system.
 Skin prick tests: A doctor will prick the skin with a small amount
of a possible allergen. If the skin reacts and becomes itchy, red,
or swollen, the person may have an allergy.
 Patch tests: To check for contact eczema, a doctor may tape a
metal disc with a small amount of a suspected allergen to the
person’s back. They will check for a skin reaction 48 hours later,
and then again after 2 days
 ASTHMA
Asthma is a chronic lung disease
affecting people of all ages. It is
caused by inflammation and
muscle tightening around the
airways, which makes it harder
to breathe.

Symptoms can include coughing,

wheezing, shortness of breath
and chest tightness. These
symptoms can be mild or severe
and can come and go over time.

Impact
Asthma is often under-diagnosed and under-treated, particularly in
low- and middle-income countries.

People with under-treated asthma can suffer sleep disturbance,

tiredness during the day, and poor concentration. Asthma sufferers and
their families may miss school and work, with financial impact on the
family and wider community. If symptoms are severe, people with
asthma may need to receive emergency health care and they may be
admitted to hospital for treatment and monitoring. In the most severe
cases, asthma can lead to death.

Symptoms
Symptoms of asthma can vary from person to person. Symptoms sometimes get
significantly worse. This is known as an asthma attack. Symptoms are often worse
at night or during exercise.

Common symptoms of asthma include:

 a persistent cough, especially at night

 wheezing when exhaling and sometimes when inhaling
 shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sometimes even when resting
 chest tightness, making it difficult to breathe deeply.

Some people will have worse symptoms when they have a cold or during changes
in the weather. Other triggers can include dust, smoke, fumes, grass and tree
pollen, animal fur and feathers, strong soaps and perfume.

Symptoms can be caused by other conditions as well. People with symptoms

should talk to a healthcare provider.

Causes
Many factors have been linked to an increased risk of developing asthma,
although it is often difficult to find a single, direct cause.

 Asthma is more likely if other family members also have asthma –

particularly a close relative, such as a parent or sibling.
 Asthma is more likely in people who have other allergic conditions, such as
eczema and rhinitis (hay fever).
 Urbanization is associated with increased asthma prevalence, probably due
to multiple lifestyle factors.
 Events in early life affect the developing lungs and can increase the risk of
asthma. These include low birth weight, prematurity, exposure to tobacco
smoke and other sources of air pollution, as well as viral respiratory
infections.
 Exposure to a range of environmental allergens and irritants are also
thought to increase the risk of asthma, including indoor and outdoor air
pollution, house dust mites, moulds, and occupational exposure to
chemicals, fumes or dust.
 Children and adults who are overweight or obese are at a greater risk of
asthma.

Treatment
Asthma cannot be cured but there are several treatments available. The
most common treatment is to use an inhaler, which delivers medication
directly to the lungs.

Inhalers can help control the disease and enable people with asthma to
enjoy a normal, active life.

There are two main types of inhaler:

 bronchodilators (such as salbutamol), that open the air passages and

relieve symptoms; and
 steroids (such as beclometasone) that reduce inflammation in the air
passages, which improves asthma symptoms and reduces the risk of
severe asthma attacks and death.

People with asthma may need to use their inhaler every day. Their
treatment will depend on the frequency of symptoms and the types of
inhalers available.

Using an inhaler can be difficult, especially for children and during

emergency situations. Using a spacer device makes it easier to use an
aerosol inhaler. This helps the medicine to reach the lungs more easily. A
spacer is a plastic container with a mouthpiece or mask at one end and a
hole for the inhaler in the other. A homemade spacer, made from a 500ml
plastic bottle, can be as effective as commercially manufactured spacers.

Access to inhalers is a problem in many countries. In 2021, bronchodilators

were available in public primary health care facilities in half of low- and low-
middle income countries, and steroid inhalers available in one third.

It is also important to raise community awareness to reduce the myths and

stigma associated with asthma in some settings

Self-care
People with asthma and their families need education to understand more
about their asthma. This includes their treatment options, triggers to avoid,
and how to manage their symptoms at home.

It is important for people with asthma to know how to increase their

treatment when their symptoms are worsening to avoid a serious attack.
Healthcare providers may give an asthma action plan to help people with
asthma to take greater control of their treatment.
 Bibliography
1. http://en.wikipedia.com//
2.http://www.education.com/sciencefair/
article/.com//
3.NCERT Textbook class XII
4.https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-
sheets/detail/asthma