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sarah gilbert
An allergen is any non-parasitic antigen that can create a reaction in an allergic, or atopic, individuals. Common airborne allergens include pollen, pet dander, and dust mite excretions; common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, seafood, wheat, eggs, and dairy products. Another type of allergens is "contact" allergens, and these include the resin produced by poison ivy and poison oak, called urushiol; bee or wasp stings; and latex. Some people are allergic to penicillin and various other medicines, such as codeine; while technically not a food allergy, the reactions and exposure mechanism (ingestion) are very similar.
While many contact allergens instigate a skin reaction, such as hives, others can initiate a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Airborne allergens can commonly cause asthma or hay fever.
Although a wide number of foods cause allergic reactions in a small percentage of the population, the governmental food agencies of each country recognize different common allergens for their citizens; those which are not listed in the official register of common food allergies do not need to be listed on food or personal care product labels. For instance, while lemon is an allergen for some individuals, it can be included as part of "natural flavorings" in a product without specifically mentioning the fruit.
Many eco-friendly products utilize plant oils and other extracts instead of synthetic ones, which can mean that individuals with severe allergies might find green products to create more sensitivities (due to allergens like soy, wheat or citrus) or fewer (because many synthetic ingredients are derived from common allergens).
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