Word parts
eosin a pink dye-phil attracted to
What it means
Eosinophils make up only a few percent of white blood cells, about 1% to 4% in the white blood cell differential. Their count rises with allergies, asthma, some drug reactions and parasitic worm infections. They are named for the way they take up a red-pink stain called eosin.
At a glance
| Spanish | eosinófilo |
|---|---|
| Also written | eosinophils |
Related terms
allergy
A reaction of the immune system to a substance that is harmless to most people.
white blood cell
A blood cell that is part of the immune system and helps the body fight infection and other foreign material.
basophil
The least common type of white blood cell, which releases histamine during allergic and inflammatory reactions.