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- Commonly Asked Questions
About Anaphylaxis
-
- What is anaphylaxis?
- Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe,
potentially fatal, systemic allergic
reaction that can involve various
areas of the body (such as the skin,
respiratory tract, gastrointestinal
tract, and cardiovascular system).
Symptoms occur within minutes to two
hours after contact with the
allergy-causing substance, but in
rare instances may occur up to four
hours later. Anaphylactic reactions
can be mild to life-threatening. The
annual incidence of anaphylactic
reactions is about 30 per 100,000
persons, and individuals with
asthma, eczema, or hay fever are at
greater relative risk of
experiencing anaphylaxis.
-
- To view an animation of what
happens inside the body during a
food-allergic reaction, click
here.
-
- Common causes of anaphylaxis
include:
- Food
- Medication
- Insect stings
- Latex
-
- Less common causes
include:
- Food-Dependent Exercise-Induced
Anaphylaxis
- Idiopathic Anaphylaxis
-
- Anaphylaxis to Food
- Peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts,
cashews, etc.), shellfish, fish,
milk, and eggs commonly cause
anaphylactic reactions. Only a trace
amount of a problem food can cause a
reaction in some individuals.
-
- In the U.S., food-induced
anaphylaxis is believed to cause
about 30,000 trips to the emergency
room and between 150 to 200 deaths
each year. Individuals who are
allergic to foods and have asthma
are believed to be at a higher risk
for developing an anaphylactic
reaction.
-
- A recent study of 32 cases of
fatal food-allergy induced
anaphylaxis showed that adolescents
who have peanut and tree nut allergy
and asthma and don't have quick
access to epinephrine, EpiPen®,
during a reaction, are at highest
risk for a fatal reaction.
-
- Strict avoidance of the allergen
is necessary for avoiding a severe
reaction. Read food labels for every
food each and every time you eat it.
Ask questions about ingredients and
preparation methods when eating away
from home. For additional
information about food allergy,
click
here.
-
- Anaphylaxis to
Medication
- Anaphylactic reactions to
medication will typically occur
within an hour after taking the
drug, however reactions may occur
several hours later. It is estimated
that up to 10 percent of the
population may be at risk for
allergic reactions to
medications.
-
- According to literature from The
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma
& Immunology, "The chances of
developing an allergic reaction may
be increased if the drug is given
frequently, in large doses, or by
injection rather than by pill. The
most important factor may be an
inherited genetic tendency of the
immune system to develop allergies.
Contrary to popular myth, however, a
family history of allergy to a
specific drug does not mean that a
patient has an increased chance of
reacting to the same drug."
-
- If you experience symptoms of an
allergic reaction after taking
medication, speak to your doctor. If
symptoms are severe, or resemble
anaphylaxis, get emergency medical
help immediately.
-
- For additional information about
medication allergy, visit The
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma
& Immunology's website at
http://www.aaaai.org/public/publicedmat/tips/adversereactions.stm
-
- Anaphylaxis to Insect
Sting
- Honeybees, bumblebees, yellow
jackets, hornets, wasps, fire ants,
and harvester ants are the most
common causes of insect stings in
the United States. (To view pictures
of these insects, click
here.)
The symptoms of anaphylactic
reactions to insect stings usually
occur within minutes of the
sting.
-
- Insect sting reactions can range
from local to mild to life
threatening. Local reactions can
involve swelling of an area larger
than the sting site; i.e., the
entire arm can be swollen after a
sting on the hand. This type of
reaction may also include nausea and
low-grade fever. Insect stings
account for about 50 deaths each
year.
-
- To minimize the risk of an
insect sting, avoid brightly colored
clothing and/or scented cosmetics,
perfumes, etc., avoid walking
barefoot, use caution when cooking
outdoors, and keep insecticide handy
when working outdoors.
-
- Anaphylaxis to Latex
- Latex allergy is most commonly
diagnosed in individuals who are
exposed to latex frequently, such as
those employed in the health care or
rubber industry fields, and in
children with spina bifida and other
congenital diseases requiring
multiple surgeries. An estimated one
percent of the U.S. population has
latex allergy. Approximately 10 to
17 percent of those employed in the
health care occupations have this
allergy.
-
- Some individuals with latex
allergy will also develop reactions
when eating foods that cross react
with latex. These foods commonly
include bananas, kiwi, avocados, and
European chestnuts; and less
commonly include potatoes; tomatoes;
and peaches, plums, cherries, and
other pitted fruits.
-
- For additional information about
latex allergy, visit: http://www.aaaai.org/public/fastfacts/latex.stm
-
- Food-Dependent
Exercise-Induced
Anaphylaxis
- Food-dependent exercise-induced
anaphylaxis is very rare and occurs
only when an individual eats a
specific food and exercises within
three to four hours after eating.
Individuals experiencing this type
of reaction typically have asthma
and other allergic conditions.
Although any food may contribute to
this form of anaphylaxis, foods that
have been reported include wheat,
shellfish, fruit, milk, celery, and
fish.
-
- Food-dependent exercise-induced
anaphylaxis appears to be twice as
common in females than in males and
is common in individuals who are in
their late teens to thirties.
-
- Idiopathic
Anaphylaxis
- Idiopathic anaphylaxis is a
severe reaction in which no cause
can be determined. It can affect
individuals of all ages although
females are affected much more
frequently than males. As with other
forms of anaphylaxis, idiopathic
anaphylaxis can be life threatening.
Prophylactic daily treatment with a
combination of medications can
control the symptoms, and most
episodes of idiopathic anaphylaxis
subside spontaneously after several
months or years.
-
- Who is at risk for having an
anaphylactic reaction?
- Anyone with a previous history
of anaphylactic reactions is at risk
for another severe reaction.
Individuals with food allergies
(particularly shellfish, peanuts,
and tree nuts) and asthma may be at
increased risk for having a
life-threatening anaphylactic
reaction. A recent study showed that
teens with food allergy and asthma
appear to be at highest risk for a
reaction because they are more
likely to dine away from home; they
are less likely to carry
medications, and may ignore or not
recognize symptoms.
-
- What are the symptoms of an
anaphylactic reaction?
- An anaphylactic reaction may
begin with a tingling sensation,
itching, or metallic taste in the
mouth. Other symptoms can include
hives, a sensation of warmth, asthma
symptoms, swelling of the mouth and
throat area, difficulty breathing,
vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, a drop
in blood pressure, and loss of
consciousness. These symptoms may
begin in as little as five to 15
minutes to up to two hours after
exposure to the allergen, but
life-threatening reactions may
progress over hours.
-
- Some individuals have a
reaction, and the symptoms go away
only to return two to three hours
later. This is called a bi-phasic
reaction. Often the symptoms occur
in the respiratory tract and take
the individual by surprise.
-
- If you have an anaphylactic
reaction, seek professional medical
help quickly. Stay in the hospital
for four to six hours to be sure you
can get help if you have a bi-phasic
reaction. More than one individual's
life has been saved because he or
she was in the hospital when this
second reaction occurred. If the
hospital staff discharges you, sit
in the lobby and read a magazine. Do
not leave and assume you can get
back to the hospital on time.
-
- Click
here to read an article
written by a 9-year-old describing
her anaphylactic reaction and the
circumstances surrounding it.
-
- What medication is used to
treat an anaphylactic
reaction?
- Epinephrine is the drug of
choice for treating an anaphylactic
reaction. It works to reverse the
symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction
and helps prevent the progression of
it. It is available via prescription
as an EpiPen® or EpiPen® Jr.
Epinephrine Auto-Injector. It is
important to administer epinephrine
as soon as one detects the symptoms
of anaphylaxis. Individuals who have
been prescribed epinephrine must
carry it with them at all times
because accidents are never
planned.
-
- Antihistamines, such as
Benadryl®, and steroids are
often used to further improve the
recovery of a person with an
anaphylactic reaction.
Antihistamines and asthma
medications may be administered with
epinephrine, but never instead of
epinephrine because they cannot
reverse many of the symptoms of
anaphylaxis.
-
- 3 R's for treating
anaphylaxis
- * Recognize symptoms
- * React quickly
- * Review what happened and be
sure to prevent it from
reoccurring
-
- Steps for treating an
anaphylactic reaction:
- If you suspect an anaphylactic
reaction is occurring, don't lose
precious time! Do the
following:
- * Act quickly!
- * Follow your physician's
instructions for treatment.
- * Call Emergency Medical
Services (or 911) and request
epinephrine. Do not attempt to drive
yourself to a medical facility. Get
to a hospital as soon as possible
and plan to stay at least four to
six hours in case symptoms
return.
-
-
- How You Can Protect
Yourself
-
- * Speak to your doctor or
allergist if you've had a severe
reaction to a food, insect sting,
medication, latex, or after
exercising.
-
- * If prescribed, carry a supply
of epinephrine (EpiPen®) at all
times. Teach yourself and others how
to use it. Practice with an expired
EpiPen® by injecting it into an
orange. Additionally, EpiPen®s
are available in Twin Paks™
that include an EpiPen® trainer,
the same device as the EpiPen®
without the needle or medication.
Practice using the EpiPen® until
it becomes second nature.
-
- * Educate others about your
allergy; i.e., what you need to
avoid, the symptoms of an allergic
reaction, and how others can help
during an allergic emergency.
Click
here for information our
FAAN's Be A PAL: Protect A Life
program.
-
- * Wear a MedicAlert®
bracelet or necklace noting your
allergy. Click
here to visit the
MedicAlert®
website.
-
- How to Use an Epinephrine
Auto-Injector
-
- 1. Pull off
gray safety cap
-
- 2. Place
black tip on outer thigh (always
apply to thigh)
-
 -
-
- 3. Using a
swing and jab motion, press hard
into thigh until Auto-Injector
mechanism functions. Hold in place
and count to 10. The EpiPen®
unit should then be removed and
discarded. Massage the injection
area for 10 seconds.
-
- 4. Once
EpiPen® is used, call the Rescue
Squad. State additional epinephrine
may be needed. Take the used unit
with you to the Emergency Room. Plan
to stay for observation at the
Emergency Room for at least 4
hours.
-
- How to Dispose an
EpiPen®
- After using an EpiPen®,
throw away the gray cap. Place a
penny in the bottom of the plastic
tube, slip the EpiPen® into the
tube, and close it. Return the used
EpiPen® to your doctor for
disposal.
-
- Click
here to download a copy of a
food allergy and anaphylaxis fact
sheet for Emergency Responders.
-
- Resources Available
from FAAN
- The following educational
resources may be ordered online, or
by calling FAAN at (800)
929-4040.
-
- Just One Little Bite Can
Hurt: Important Facts About
Anaphylaxis
- This booklet covers topics such
as what is anaphylaxis, who is at
risk, and what should be done if a
reaction occurs. A great basic
reference tool. Click
here to order online.
-
- Caring for the Child with
Severe Food Allergies by Lisa
Cipriano Collins, M.A.,
M.F.T.
- Informative book offers facts
and will help families cope with the
emotional aspects of raising a
severely allergic child. Learn how
to reduce risks while encouraging
normal emotional development.
Click
here to order online.
-
- The Parent's Guide to Food
Allergies by Marianne S.
Barber
- This book extensively explores
all aspects of food allergy
management in day-to-day life. A
must-have resource for those
struggling with a new diagnosis.
Click
here to order online.
-
- Epinephrine Auto-Injector
Carriers
- FAAN offers a variety of
epinephrine auto-injector carriers.
Click
here to view selections and/or to
order online.
-
- Sources:
- "Growing In and
Out of Food Allergies," Food Allergy
News, Volume 9, Number 6, ©2000
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis
Network
-
- "Tips to
Remember: Adverse reactions to
medications," The American Academy
of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
website aaaai.org
-
- "Fast Facts:
Latex Allergy," The American Academy
of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
website aaaai.org
-
- "Camp Guide to
Managing Severe Allergic Reactions,"
©2000 The Food Allergy &
Anaphylaxis Network
-
- "Just One Little
Bite Can Hurt! Important Facts About
Anaphylaxis," ©1992, Updated
3/01. The Food Allergy &
Anaphylaxis Network
-
- "Food Allergy In
Adults" Food Allergy: Adverse
Reactions to Foods and Food
Additives, Second Edition„1997
Blackwell Science, Inc.
-
- "Food Allergy
and Latex Allergy&endash;&endash;Is
There a Connection?" Food Allergy
News, Volume 4, Number 6, ©1995
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis
Network
-
- "Food-Dependent
Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis" Food
Allergy News, Volume 5, Number 3,
©1996 The Food Allergy &
Anaphylaxis Network
-
- "Idiopathic
anaphylaxis. An attempt to estimate
the incidence in the United States,"
Arch Intern Med, 1995, Apr
24;155(8):869-71
-
- "Epidemiology of
anaphylaxis in Olmsted County: A
population-based study," Journal of
Allergy and Clinical Immunology,
1999; 104:452-6
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-
 -
- How
to contact The Food Allergy &
Anaphylaxis Network
- Via
Mail
- 11781 Lee Jackson Hwy.,
Suite 160
- Fairfax, VA
22033-3309
-
- Via
Phone
- 800-929-4040
-
- Via
Fax
- 703-691-2713
-
- Via
E-mail
- faan@foodallergy.org
-
- Additional
information
-
- For a list of doctors in
your area, please call one of the
following organizations:
- American Academy of
Allergy, Asthma &
Immunology
- 800-822-ASMA
- www.aaaai.org
-
- American College of
Allergy, Asthma &
Immunology
- 800-842-7777
- www.allergy.mcg.edu
-
- American Academy of
Pediatrics
- 800-433-9016
- www.aap.org
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