Allergies

Allergic reactions are caused when the immune system is triggered into action by an allergen, which is a protein, or antigen, producing a clinical allergic reaction. These allergens elicit a response by immunoglobulin-E (IgE), causing various symptoms depending on the body system affected. This entry will explore different issues related to allergies, including allergic rhinitis and venom allergies, and how to diagnose and treat different types of allergies. Allergies can significantly affect an athlete's performance; for example, failure to adequately control allergic rhinitis can lead to an ...