Anaphylaxis is a reaction to an allergen in or on the body. Anaphylactic shock is a life-threatening emergency that needs immediate medical intervention. Anaphylaxis can start in as little as five minutes after exposure or not set in until a few hours later. Shock will develop only in severe cases of allergic response. It is important to learn the common causes and how to avoid them.
Food Allergies
Food allergies can take the longest time to manifest due to the digestion process and what the body absorbs and does not absorb. While food allergies are the most common cause of anaphylactic response, only 3 to 4 percent of the world's population is affected by it, according to a study published in August of 2009 in Pediatric Allergy Immunology. This article reports that there are eight common foods that cause 90 percent of all food allergies in children: cow's milk, hen eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts (Brazil nuts, walnuts, pecans), wheat, fish and shellfish. The foods that most often persist to cause allergies into adulthood include shellfish and peanuts. It is not completely known why some people react so strongly to foods while others do not, but there is a common belief that introducing these foods when the immune system is still developing in babies causes reactions later on in life. Even if the reaction to the food was mild in nature as a child, it is important to carry an epi-pen at all times, in case of a larger anaphylactic reaction later in life.
Insect Stings/Bites
Stings can cause severe anaphylaxis. Insects cannot always be avoided, even if proper precautions are taken. It is important to have an epi-pen in easy reach when outside for these kinds of allergies. Most of the time a sting will be felt when these insects attack, so they are easy to spot and quickly addressed. It is important to search for signs of a sting or bite if no other reason is known for the allergic reaction.
Medications
The most common medication to cause anaphylaxis is penicillin. Eighty percent of all drug allergies are caused by penicillin, cephalosporins, sulpha drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. An immediate hypersensitivity reaction to any of these drugs will show up within four to six minutes. All anaphylactic reactions require the wearing of a medical alert bracelet, but it is far more important to have one for a medication allergy. Drugs are often administered to unconscious patients in a medical setting and without an alert bracelet to warn the medical staff, a simple infection could rapidly turn fatal by delivering an allergen-inducing medication.
Physical Contact
Coming into contact with irritants over time can lead to more and more severe reactions in the future. Latex is a common allergen than can become more severe over time. Fortunately, latex can be avoided in most settings when there is an awareness of the allergy.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Anaphylaxis
- "Pediatric Allergy Immunology;" Shellfish allergy in children; Kandyil RM, and Davis CM; August 20th 2009.
- Oregon EMS Anaphylaxis Lecture
