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:
Bacteria, viruses, and animal parasites
Chemicals
Dust
Drugs (such as antibiotics, serums)
Foods (such as milk, chocolate, strawberries, wheat)
Perfumes
Plants
Pollen
Smoke
See also:
Allergies
Allergic reaction
Food allergy
Allergy to drugs
Antigen
Antibody
Update Date:
2/15/2007Updated by:
Donald Accetta, MD, MPH, President, Allergy & Asthma Care, PC, Taunton, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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