Allergic reaction is a sensitivity to a specific substance, called
an allergen, that is contacted through the skin, inhaled into the
lungs, swallowed or injected. The body's reaction to an allergen
can be mild, such as a localized rash, or life-threatening, such as
anaphylactic shock.
Review Date: 02/17/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
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