A true allergic reaction is the body's hyper-immune response to an allergen. Most often they are to specific proteins, although some complex carbohydrates can elicit an immune response. Most allergic reactions can be classified as mild: localized itching, redness, mild swelling and wheal formation. Moderate allergic reactions can include the previous signs/symptoms with a more aggressive nature, plus mild to moderate respiratory wheezing may occur. Severe or anaphylactic shock is an immediate life threatening condition; there is severe respiratory involvement including possible respiratory and cardiac arrest. Individuals who know they have potential life threatening allergies, will often have an autoinject epi-pen with them at all times. I know of one person who works in one of our research animal facilities, who has such a severe allergy to latex, that if she touches the door knob where someone has worn latex gloves while opening the door, she will go into severe anaphylactic shock, which has occurred once already. She is diligent in wearing nitrile gloves at all times while in the animal facility and always has her epi-pen with her. In reference to "false" allergies, I have been to calls where someone has taken a medication and is experiencing one of the side effects and describes it as an allergy. If any of the physicians would like to correct or add to anything I have said, please feel free. Pete