An allergen is a substance that can cause an allergic reaction. Allergens are substances that, in some people, the immune system recognizes as "foreign" or "dangerous" but cause no response for most people.
Information:
Common allergens include:
chemicals and plants
drugs (such as antibiotics, serums)
foods (such as milk, chocolate, strawberries, wheat)
infectious bacteria, viruses, and animal parasites
inhalants (such as dust, pollen, perfumes, smoke)
physical agents (such as heat, light, friction, radiation)
Review Date: 2/7/2005
Reviewed By: Frederic F. Little, M.D., Department of Allergy and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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