When To See A Doctor: Seek Emergency Medical Help

Overview
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within

seconds or minutes of exposure to something you're allergic to, such as peanuts or bee
stings.
Anaphylaxis causes your immune system to release a flood of chemicals that can cause
you to go into shock — your blood pressure drops suddenly and your airways narrow,
blocking breathing. Signs and symptoms include a rapid, weak pulse; a skin rash; and
nausea and vomiting. Common triggers include certain foods, some medications, insect
venom and latex.
Anaphylaxis requires an injection of epinephrine and a follow-up trip to an emergency

room. If you don't have epinephrine, you need to go to an emergency room immediately.
If anaphylaxis isn't treated right away, it can be fatal.
Symptoms
Anaphylaxis symptoms usually occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen.

Sometimes, however, it can occur a half-hour or longer after exposure. Signs and
symptoms include:
 Skin reactions, including hives and itching and flushed or pale skin
 Low blood pressure (hypotension)
 Constriction of your airways and a swollen tongue or throat, which can cause
wheezing and trouble breathing
 A weak and rapid pulse
 Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
 Dizziness or fainting
When to see a doctor
Seek emergency medical help if you, your child or someone else you're with has a
severe allergic reaction. Don't wait to see if the symptoms go away.
If the person having the attack carries an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen), administer
it right away. Even if symptoms improve after the injection, you still need to go to an
emergency room to make sure symptoms don't recur, even without more exposure to
your allergen. This second reaction is called biphasic anaphylaxis.
Make an appointment to see your doctor if you or your child has had a severe allergy
attack or signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis in the past.
The diagnosis and long-term management of anaphylaxis are complicated, so you'll

probably need to see a doctor who specializes in allergies and immunology.
Causes
Your immune system produces antibodies that defend against foreign substances. This
is good when a foreign substance is harmful, such as certain bacteria or viruses. But
some people's immune systems overreact to substances that don't normally cause an
allergic reaction.
Allergy symptoms aren't usually life-threatening, but a severe allergic reaction can lead
to anaphylaxis. Even if you or your child has had only a mild anaphylactic reaction in the
past, there's a risk of more severe anaphylaxis after another exposure to the allergy-
causing substance.
The most common anaphylaxis triggers in children are food allergies, such as to
peanuts, and tree nuts, fish, shellfish and milk. Besides allergy to peanuts, nuts, fish
and shellfish, anaphylaxis triggers in adults include:
 Certain medications, including antibiotics, aspirin and other over-the-counter pain

relievers, and the intravenous (IV) contrast used in some imaging tests
 Stings from bees, yellow jackets, wasps, hornets and fire ants
 Latex
Although not common, some people develop anaphylaxis from aerobic exercise, such
as jogging, or even less intense physical activity, such as walking. Eating certain foods
before exercise or exercising when the weather is hot, cold or humid also has been
linked to anaphylaxis in some people. Talk with your doctor about precautions to take
when exercising.
If you don't know what triggers your allergy attack, certain tests can help identify the
allergen. In some cases, the cause of anaphylaxis is never identified (idiopathic
anaphylaxis).
Risk factors
There aren't many known risk factors for anaphylaxis, but some things that might
increase your risk include:
 Previous anaphylaxis. If you've had anaphylaxis once, your risk of having this
serious reaction increases. Future reactions might be more severe than the first
reaction.
 Allergies or asthma. People who have either condition are at increased risk of
having anaphylaxis.
 Certain other conditions. These include heart disease and an abnormal

accumulation of a certain type of white blood cell (mastocytosis).
Complications
An anaphylactic reaction can be life-threatening — it can stop your breathing or your

heartbeat.
Prevention
The best way to prevent anaphylaxis is to avoid substances that cause this severe
reaction. Also:
 Wear a medical alert necklace or bracelet to indicate you have an allergy to

specific drugs or other substances.
 Keep an emergency kit with prescribed medications available at all times.

Your doctor can advise you on the contents. If you have an epinephrine
autoinjector, check the expiration date and be sure to refill your prescription before
it expires.
 Be sure to alert all your doctors to medication reactions you've had.
 If you're allergic to stinging insects, use caution around them. Wear long-
sleeved shirts and pants; don't walk barefoot on grass; avoid bright colors; don't
wear perfumes, colognes or scented lotions; and don't drink from open soda cans
outdoors. Stay calm when near a stinging insect. Move away slowly and avoid
slapping at the insect.
 If you have food allergies, carefully read the labels of all the foods you buy and
eat. Manufacturing processes can change, so it's important to periodically recheck
the labels of foods you commonly eat.
When eating out, ask how each dish is prepared, and find out what ingredients it
contains. Even small amounts of food you're allergic to can cause a serious
reaction.
Be prepared
Even if you're careful, at some point you'll likely be exposed to what you're allergic to.
Fortunately, you can respond quickly and effectively to an allergy emergency by
knowing the signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction and having a plan to
quickly treat those symptoms.

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Overview

Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within

Anaphylaxis requires an injection of epinephrine and a follow-up trip to an emergency

Anaphylaxis symptoms usually occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen.

 Low blood pressure (hypotension)

 A weak and rapid pulse

 Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

When to see a doctor

The diagnosis and long-term management of anaphylaxis are complicated, so you'll

 Certain medications, including antibiotics, aspirin and other over-the-counter pain

 Certain other conditions. These include heart disease and an abnormal

An anaphylactic reaction can be life-threatening — it can stop your breathing or your

 Wear a medical alert necklace or bracelet to indicate you have an allergy to

 Keep an emergency kit with prescribed medications available at all times.

 Be sure to alert all your doctors to medication reactions you've had.

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