You may have thought that anaphylaxis — a severe allergic reaction that can be deadly — is rare. But the results of a study and patient survey determined that at least one in 50 — and perhaps as high as one in 20 — people have had at least one episode of anaphylaxis.
Even if you’ve never had an anaphylactic reaction, you’re at risk for one if you have allergies. Catherine Fuller, MD, is an allergy expert in West Los Angeles, California, who helps you avoid anaphylaxis and tone down your allergic reactions.
How can you determine your risk for anaphylaxis? We’ve prepared this guide to help you do just that.
Anaphylaxis occurs when your body releases too many histamines in reaction to an allergen, such as an insect bite, nuts, or latex. Histamine causes swelling that can compromise your airways. Symptoms can include:
Anaphylaxis occurs in stages, and by the time you reach stage four, you lose consciousness, you can’t breathe, and your blood doesn’t flow to vital organs. Without immediate treatment with epinephrine, you could die.
If you’ve had allergic reactions in the past, you could be at risk for anaphylaxis in the future. Even if your prior allergic reactions were mild to moderate, they can progress to severe ones over time as your body ages.
In addition, you may suddenly develop an allergy to a substance that never bothered you before. Allergies change over time, which is why it’s a good idea to undergo allergy testing with Dr. Fuller every so often to determine your triggers.
Once you know what you’re allergic to, do your best to avoid those substances. Wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors to prevent insect stings, vacuuming your home frequently to minimize dust mites and pet dander, and avoiding the outdoors on high-pollen days can help avoid severe or prolonged reactions.
Food allergies often trigger anaphylaxis. You may be more at risk if you’re allergic to:
However, you can’t predict when or if you may have an anaphylactic reaction. If you’ve had allergic reactions to insect stings, peanuts, or other common triggers for anaphylaxis, you should keep an epinephrine injector handy in case your allergy spins out of control.
Asthma attacks are often triggered by allergens. They also make you more susceptible to anaphylaxis because both conditions affect your airways.
Other medical conditions may also raise your risk for anaphylaxis, including heart disease and a condition called mastocytosis, which causes an excess accumulation of white blood cells. If you have an underlying medical condition as well as allergies, carry an epinephrine pen.
The single most predictive factor for a future attack of anaphylaxis is a past one. If you’ve ever suffered any stage of anaphylaxis, be sure you always have an epinephrine injector handy.
If you or your child progresses to the later stages of anaphylaxis — including anaphylactic shock — use the epinephrine but also go immediately to the emergency room. Even if anaphylaxis seems to resolve, it can recur within an hour or two, or even several days later. About 20% of people with anaphylaxis experience a two-part episode.
Find out what you’re allergic to and how to tone down your body’s reaction to your most common triggers with immunotherapy, or get an epinephrine pen to counteract anaphylaxis by reaching out to our helpful team at Catherine Fuller, MD, by phone or online today.
