What it means
The immune system treats something such as a food, drug, pollen, insect sting or latex as if it were harmful and reacts to it. Reactions range from sneezing, itching and hives to swelling of the lips and throat. The most severe form is anaphylaxisan-uh-fuh-LAK-sisA sudden, severe allergic reaction that affects the whole body.ana- away, against-phylaxis protectionFull entry .
For the nurse
Ask about allergies before giving any drug, food or product, and ask what the reaction was, because a side effect such as nausea is not an allergy. Record it, check the allergy band, and report new hives, wheezing or swelling right away.
In a chart
"Allergies: penicillin (hives), latex (rash). Red allergy band in place."
At a glance
| Spanish | alergia |
|---|---|
| Also written | allergies, allergic |
Related terms
anaphylaxis
A sudden, severe allergic reaction that affects the whole body.
immune system
The body's defense system of cells, tissues and organs that fights germs and other foreign substances.
hypersensitivity
An overreaction of the immune system to a substance that is usually harmless.