Scratch 'n Sneeze - Science of Allergies
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This week's Naked Scientists is not to be sneezed at - we're looking at the science of allergies! We explore what happens to cause your body to overreact to harmless things, and find out how potentially fatal peanut allergy can be cured. Plus, how a dose of parasites could keep allergies at bay, and how special filters can engineer a breath of extremely fresh air!
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Food allergies are relatively common – figures from the US suggest that up to 8% of young children and 3.7% of adults are affected. In many cases it’s little more than a nuisance, but for some, exposure can be fatal. Dr Pamela Ewan joins us from Addenbrooke’s hospital, where th...
Allergic conditions were virtually unheard of before the 19th century, and this has led some people to suggest that leading an overly hygienic life may increase the tendency for the immune system to react to things that it would normally ignore. To tell us more, Professor Rick ...
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Why isn't there a vaccine for hayfever?
I'm allergic to my cat. I take antihistamines. Is it likely the allergy will get worse/more severe with time?
Is there an approved method of treating cat allergies that doesn't involve pseudoefedrin or weekly shots, please?
Why didn't humans evolve through allergies?
Do children typically grow out of food allergies?
How do you know if you have an allergy and how do you determine the source.
What can mums do to reduce the chances of their children having allergies?
Is there any truth in the local honey helps alleviate hayfever theory, or an old wives tale?
Does being prone to allergies have a genetic factor, and if yes, how come genes responsible for those traits survived?
As peanuts are legumes, not nuts, does it follow that if allergic to nuts, you should avoid peanuts too (or vice versa)?
Is there an optimum level to which you should fill your car's petrol tank so it doesn't just use the excess energy simply to carry the petrol around? Do vehicle manufacturers make the capacity of the petrol tank the perfect size with this in mind?
Thanks for the great show
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