Article
Article
Allergy
Article By:
de Weck, A. L. Institut für Klinische Immunologic Inselspital, Universität Bern, Switzerland.
Last reviewed:August 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.024150
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- Allergy, published June 2014:Download PDF
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Altered reactivity in humans and other animals to allergens (substances foreign to the body that trigger an allergic response) induced by exposure through injection, inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. An allergy (or allergic reaction; Fig. 1) is an antigen–antibody reaction that is marked by an exaggerated physiologic response to a substance (an allergen) that causes no symptoms in nonsensitive individuals. An allergen is a type of antigen (a substance that causes the immune system to produce specific antibodies against it) that induces an allergic state in animals, including humans. See also: Antibody; Antigen; Antigen-antibody reaction; Clinical immunology; Immunology; Immunopathology
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