Anaphylaxis

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe form of allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. An anaphylactic response happens when your body’s immune system overreacts to the presence of a trigger substance and treats it as a threat to your body.

A trigger substance is anything that you’re allergic to, such as nuts or penicillin. This trigger substance then releases chemicals like histamine, which swell your body’s blood vessels and restrict breathing.

Who gets anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis happens to people who have severe allergies. And you never really know the severity of reaction you’ll have until you come into contact with the trigger substance. This is what can make allergic reactions so dangerous.

If you believe that you’re allergic to a certain substance, you should let our doctors know. They can advise you on alternative treatments if a specific medication isn’t suitable for you.

How common is anaphylaxis?

It’s difficult to know exactly, but allergy and anaphylaxis prevalence is increasing every year. We believe that the figures could be rising for a couple of reasons. One is that we might simply be getting better at diagnosing allergies now that they’re much more common.

But a previously held theory was that children are growing up in a more sanitary environment than they used to; and because these children aren’t being exposed to as many germs or bacteria, their immune systems aren’t working as they should. It was thought that the body wrongly thinks that certain triggers are threats, but there’s a growing consensus that this isn’t the case.^[1]

What causes anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is caused when your body’s immune system wrongly perceives a certain trigger to be a threat. This trigger then activates an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). It’s this antibody that causes a sudden rush of chemicals, including histamine. This sudden rush forces your blood vessels to swell and your breathing to become restricted. If medical help doesn’t come soon, this can cause heart failure and death.

Some of the more common triggers include foods like nuts, fish, and milk, but they can also include insect stings, certain medications or latex. Allergic reactions vary from person to person and some people aren’t allergic to anything at all. Allergy tests can be requested through your primary care physician. These will test your body’s reaction to common substances that people are allergic to.^[1]

What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis can happen very suddenly when you come into contact with a trigger substance. Symptoms can often include:

• feeling lightheaded or faint;
• breathing difficulties – like fast, shallow
• breathing;
• wheezing;
• a fast heartbeat;
• clammy skin;
• confusion and anxiety; and:
• collapsing or losing consciousness.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should call an ambulance right away. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and require emergency treatment.

Can anaphylaxis lead to other problems?

Anaphylaxis is a problem in and of itself, and it’s generally a reaction to other problems, like your body wrongly perceiving something to be a threat. Due to its severity, it should be avoided wherever possible. It can be particularly stressful if you have an allergy to a common substance like nuts.

If you’re at risk of anaphylaxis, it’s very important that you carry your treatment with you at all times. You should also check that your treatment is in date and seek new treatment if it isn’t.