Over forty million Americans suffer from allergies. The economic costs (such as
medication,
doctor visits, absenteeism, etc.) associated with allergic reactions are in the several billions of dollars.
An allergy is a hypersensitivity to a foreign substance called an allergen. When the body is exposed to an allergen the
immune system overreacts, causing symptoms ranging from the mildly annoying, such as watery eyes and runny nose, to
anaphylactic shock, a potentially deadly condition. Allergens surround us and are commonly found in
food, plants, and animals. While it is best to avoid contact with allergens, often it is not practicable to do so.
See Also
- Immune Disorders
- Artificial Nail Remover: Overview
- Chloroethane
- Cipro / Ciprofloxacin
- Clothing: Overview
- Dental Amalgams: Overview
- Diesel Exhaust
- Ephedra Recall
- Epidural Anesthesia
- Furan
- Herceptin / Trastuzumab
- Latex
- Medication & Prescription Errors
- Migrant Workers: Overview
- Nickel
- Plastic Surgery: Overview
- Railroad Workers & The Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA)
- School Buses & Commercial Lines
- Tetryl
- Toxic Mold