Table of Contents
- Overview
- Prevention
- Images
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:
- Animal proteins and animal dander
- Bacteria and viruses
- Chemicals
- Dust
- Drugs (such as antibiotics or medications you put on your skin)
- Foods (such as milk, chocolate, strawberries, wheat)
- Perfumes
- Plants
- Pollen
- Smoke
See also:
Allergies Allergic reaction Food allergy Allergy to drugs Antigen Antibody
Next Section
Allergen Prevention
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)
