| drug allergy | Sensitivity (hypersensitivity) to a drug or other chemical. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| immediate allergy | A type I allergic reaction; so called because in a sensitised subject the reaction becomes evident usually within minutes after contact with the allergen (antigen), reaches its peak within an hour or so, then rapidly recedes. See: immediate reaction, anaphylaxis. Compare: delayed allergy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immunotherapy, allergy | Stimulation of the immune system with gradually increasing doses of the substances to which a person is allergic, the aim being to modify or stop the allergy war (by reducing the strength of the IgE and its effect on the mast cells). This form of treatment is very effective for allergies to pollen, mites, cats, and especially stinging insects (e.g., bees, hornets, yellow jackets, wasps, velvet ants, fire ants). Allergy immunotherapy usually takes 6 months to a year to become effective and shots (injections) are usually required for 3-5 years. (12 Dec 1998) |
| insulin allergy | When a person's body has an allergic or bad reaction to taking insulin made from pork or beef or from bacteria, or because the insulin is not exactly the same as human insulin or because it has impurities. The allergy can be of two forms. Sometimes an area of skin becomes red and itchy around the place where the insulin is injected. This is called a local allergy. In another form, a person's whole body can have a bad reaction. This is called a systemic allergy. The person can have hives or red patches all over the body or may feel changes in the heart rate and in the rate of breathing. A doctor may treat this allergy by prescribing purified insulins or by desensitisation. See: desensitisation. (09 Oct 1997) |
| test, skin, for allergy | A test done on the skin to identify the allergy substance (allergen) triggering the allergic reaction. A small amount of the suspected allergy substance is placed on the skin. The skin is then gently scratched through the small drop with a special sterile needle. If the skin reddens and, more importantly, swells, then allergy to that substance is probable. (12 Dec 1998) |
| latent allergy | Allergy that causes no signs or symptoms but can be revealed by means of certain immunologic tests with specific allergens. (05 Mar 2000) |
| allergic contact dermatitis | A delayed type IV allergic reaction of the skin with varying degrees of erythema, oedema, and vesiculation resulting from cutaneous contact with a specific allergen. Synonym: contact allergy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| balancing contact | The contact's between upper and lower dentures on the balancing or mediotrusive side for the purpose of stabilizing the dentures, the contact's between upper and lower dentures at the opposite side from the working or laterotrusive side (anteroposteriorly or laterally) for the purpose of stabilizing the dentures, the contact's between upper and lower natural or artificial teeth at the opposite side from the working or laterotrusive side. Synonym: balancing occlusal surface. (05 Mar 2000) |
| centric contact | The relation of opposing occlusal surfaces which provides the maximum planned contact and/or intercuspation, the occlusion of the teeth when the mandible is in centric relation to the maxillae. Synonym: centric contact. (05 Mar 2000) |
| microradiography, contact | <microscopy> A method of making micrographs by means of X-rays. The specimen is placed close to a fine-grained photographic emulsion at some distance from the X-ray source. The X rays pass through the specimen and the differential absorption and the scattering of the radiation is recorded by the emulsion. The resulting negative is examined and photographed through a light microscope. (05 Aug 1998) |
| close contact infection | <epidemiology> An infection which requires close contact, other than sexual contact, between susceptible and infectious individuals, for transmission. (05 Dec 1998) |
| contact | A mutual touching of two bodies or persons. Origin: L. Contactus = a touching together (18 Nov 1997) |
| contact area | That part of the proximal surface of a tooth which touches the adjacent tooth mesially or distally. Synonym: contact point, point of proximal contact. (05 Mar 2000) |
| contact ceptor | A nerve ceptor in the surface layer of skin or mucous membrane by means of which impulses contributed by direct physical impact are received. (05 Mar 2000) |
| contact cheilitis | Inflammation of the lips resulting from contact with a primary irritant or specific allergen, including ingredients of lipsticks. (05 Mar 2000) |