Page 61 - Anaphylaxis in Schools & Other Settings, 3rd Edition Revised

Glossary
ACE inhibitor: a type of medication used to treat heart disease or high blood pressure which may worsen an allergic reaction.
Adrenaline: a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in response to stressful situations. In synthetic form it is known as epinephrine.
Allergen: a substance capable of causing an allergic reaction, i.e. pollens, moulds, animal dander, house dust mites, foods, insect stings, medications, natural latex, etc.
Allergic reaction: an adverse immune response following repeated contact with otherwise harmless substances such as pollens, moulds, foods, or drugs.
Allergist: a medical doctor who has first specialized in internal medicine or pediatrics and then has obtained additional subspecialty training required to qualify as a specialist in allergy and immunology.
Allergy: an altered immune response caused by a specific substance.
Anaphylaxis: a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death.
Antihistamine: a drug that blocks the effects of histamine, which is one of the substances released into the tissues during an allergic reaction.
Asthma: a common chronic condition affecting the lungs, characterized by inflammation, constriction of the muscles surrounding the airways and excess mucus production. Symptoms may include cough, wheeze, or breathlessness.
Auto-injector: a “user-friendly” pre-loaded syringe used to administer epinephrine. Beta-blocker: a type of medication used to treat heart disease or high blood pressure which may
interfere with the action of epinephrine and worsen the allergic reaction. Chronic: present for a long time.
Epinephrine: a synthetic version of the hormone adrenaline; used in the treatment of anaphylaxis and life-threatening asthma attacks.
Hives: a skin condition of smooth, slightly elevated bumps or welts, which are redder or paler white than the surrounding skin and are accompanied by severe itching. Not all hives are allergic in origin.
Anaphylaxis in Schools & Other Settings
© 2005-2016 Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
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Appendix K