Anaphylaxis – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Anaphylaxis occurs when the body has a severe allergic reaction. The immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance as dangerous and releases chemicals to fight it.
While most allergic reactions are mild, anaphylaxis is serious and can be life-threatening.
Common Triggers
Different age groups often react to different substances:
Children’s main triggers:
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Wheat
- Soy
- Milk
- Sesame
Adult triggers:
- Insect stings (bees, wasps, hornets, fire ants)
- Medications (antibiotics, over-the-counter pain relievers)
- Imaging contrast dyes
- Latex
- Food allergens (similar to children’s triggers)
How Allergic Reactions Work
The immune system normally creates antibodies to fight harmful substances like certain bacteria or viruses. In allergic individuals, the immune system produces antibodies against harmless substances.
These antibodies trigger the release of chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.
Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis
Some people experience anaphylaxis during physical activity. This rare condition can occur during:
- Jogging
- Walking
- Other forms of exercise
Factors that may increase risk include:
- Eating certain foods before exercise
- Exercising in extreme weather (hot, cold, humid)
Important Facts
Previous mild reactions don’t guarantee future reactions will also be mild
Reactions can become more severe with repeated exposure
Sometimes no trigger can be identified (idiopathic anaphylaxis)
Allergy testing can help identify triggers in many cases
Anyone with a history of anaphylaxis should talk with their healthcare provider about prevention strategies and emergency treatment plans. Understanding your specific triggers is an important step in avoiding dangerous reactions.
