allergic reaction
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A physiological response by the immune system to a specific substance (allergen) that is typically harmless to most people. The symptoms of this reaction can range from mild to severe.
Usage
The term "allergic reaction" is used to describe the event or condition that occurs when a person's immune system overreacts to an allergen. It is a countable noun.
Examples
- She had a severe allergic reaction to the antibiotic.
- Common signs of an allergic reaction include itching and hives.
- The restaurant staff is trained to respond to customers experiencing an allergic reaction.
Advanced Usage
- "to have an allergic reaction to something": This is the most common construction to describe experiencing the reaction.
- He had an allergic reaction to the bee sting.
- "to go into anaphylactic shock": This phrase describes a severe, life-threatening type of allergic reaction.
- Without immediate treatment, a severe allergic reaction can cause a person to go into anaphylactic shock.
Variants and Related Words
- Allergy (n): The condition of being prone to having allergic reactions.
- She has a peanut allergy.
- Allergen (n): The specific substance that triggers an allergic reaction.
- Pollen is a common allergen.
- Anaphylaxis (n): The medical term for a severe, rapid-onset allergic reaction.
- Epinephrine is used to treat anaphylaxis.
Synonyms
- Hypersensitivity reaction
- Allergic response
Related Phrases
- Allergic contact dermatitis: A skin rash caused by touching an allergen.
- The nickel in the jewelry caused allergic contact dermatitis.
- Systemic allergic reaction: A reaction that affects the entire body, not just the point of contact.
- A food allergy often causes a systemic allergic reaction.
Noun
- hypersensitivity reaction to a particular allergen; symptoms can vary greatly in intensity