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Learn more about common allergic diseases, symptoms, management paradigms, and testing considerations.
Is your patient a candidate for specific IgE testing?
Get detailed information on whole allergens and allergen components.
Ready to test a patient?
Access videos and webinars delivered by key experts in the field of allergy.
August 2022 | Linda Armstrong | ✓ Medically reviewed by: Gary Falcetano, PA-C, AE-C; Fabio Iachetti, MD; Rebecca Rosenberger, MMSc, PA-C
A licensed Physician Assistant with more than 25 years of diverse experience in emergency and disaster medicine, primary care, and allergy and immunology, Gary Falcetano is the U.S. Clinical Affairs Manager for Allergy in ImmunoDiagnostics at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Fabio Iachetti is a licensed physician with more than 15 years of diverse experience in several disease areas such as allergy, CV, pain, GI, rheumatology, urology, and diabetology. He is a Senior Medical Manager for Allergy in ImmunoDiagnostics Global Medical Affairs at Thermo Fisher Scientific. In addition to being a practicing Physician Assistant in the field of allergy and immunology for more than 20 years, Rebecca Rosenberger is the Associate Director for Clinical Affairs & Education, ImmunoDiagnostics at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.1 Like other allergy symptoms, it’s triggered when the immune system overreacts and releases histamine (among other chemicals) in response to an allergen, such as peanuts, shellfish, latex, insect venom, dust mites, and countless more.2
Often, histamine causes symptoms such a runny nose, itchy/watery eyes, etc.3 But sometimes, the body releases a flood of chemicals that can send the body into anaphylactic shock.1 Blood pressure may drop suddenly, and airway tissues may swell, causing wheezing, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness among other symptoms. If not treated immediately, anaphylaxis may lead to death.3
While anaphylaxis is rare, it’s an extremely serious condition, and dealing with it can be scary. But studying the causes, signs, and symptoms of anaphylaxis and learning about potential risk factors and management strategies may help lessen anxiety and prepare you and others to deal with anaphylaxis if it occurs. So here’s a primer to help you do just that.
Each anaphylactic experience is unique. However, there are several common symptoms, most of which occur within five to 30 minutes of contacting the allergen. However, in some cases, symptoms can start more than an hour later.3
While some people show life-threatening reactions almost immediately, others may experience early signs of anaphylaxis. Particularly for anyone with a history or high risk of anaphylaxis, it’s important to recognize early symptoms (if present) and immediately seek treatment.4
When exhibited, early signs of anaphylaxis may include:3-5
For some people, the first signs of anaphylaxis are far more severe and usually involve more than one part of the body, such as the skin, mouth, lungs, heart, and/or gut.6
Along with the initial signs of anaphylaxis, additional symptoms may include:3,5,6
According to the Cleveland Clinic (a nonprofit academic medical center), approximately 20 percent of people with anaphylaxis experience biphasic anaphylaxis. With this type of reaction, people experience some of the aforementioned symptoms, which then go away. However, hours or sometimes even days after this first wave of symptoms, they experience a second round of severe symptoms.3
Given the risks of biphasic reactions, it’s important to monitor people who have experienced anaphylaxis for hours or perhaps even days after they’ve seemingly recovered.
While there may be other causes of anaphylaxis, such as exercise, allergens are the main culprits. Among them, food allergens are the most frequent triggers of anaphylaxis in children, and insect venom and various drug allergies are the most prevalent offenders in adults.7 Additionally, according to an article published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, drugs are the most common reported cause of fatal anaphylaxis in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and the United States.8
Here are some of the most common allergies that can cause anaphylaxis, along with some links to help you learn more about each one.
While a wide range of foods may cause anaphylaxis, the most commonly implicated foods for both adults and children worldwide are:
Other perhaps less-common causes of food-induced anaphylaxis may include:9-15
Natural rubber latex is found in items such as gloves, condoms, balloons, and more. Sometimes, latex causes only a mild skin irritation in sensitized individuals; other times it can trigger a severe allergic reaction. In fact, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, inhaling small latex particles, perhaps from being in the vicinity of someone donning and/or removing latex gloves, may be enough to trigger a reaction.6
Anaphylaxis may also be caused by allergies to the following drugs and contrast agents:6,15-17
Venom from stinging insects (such as bees, yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets) and bites from fire ants may cause anaphylaxis.6 Anaphylaxis caused by insect-venom allergy has been reported in 3 percent of adults and 1 percent of children who’ve been stung.16 Additionally 80 to 90 percent of fatal insect venom anaphylaxis occurs in men 50 to 60 years old on average.8
While anaphylaxis is somewhat unpredictable, several factors may increase the risk of anaphylaxis.
To reduce the risk of anaphylaxis, it’s critical for those with allergies to first understand which allergens they’re sensitized to and to then take steps to reduce exposure. One of the best ways to identify your possible triggers is a simple blood test.
Paired with your symptom history and physical exam, a specific IgE blood test for allergies can help your healthcare provider determine exactly which allergens may cause allergic reactions. Additionally, a specific IgE allergen component test (along with other factors) may help your provider better predict your risk of a serious reaction such as anaphylaxis.
To prepare for a healthcare visit, complete our symptom tracker, which will generate a comprehensive symptom profile you can then review with your healthcare provider to decide if a specific IgE blood test is right for you.
Once you’ve identified your triggers, there are several steps you can take to prepare for and/or prevent a reaction and to deal with emergencies.
If someone is showing signs of anaphylaxis—such as pale, cool, and clammy skin; a weak, rapid pulse; trouble breathing; confusion; and/or loss of consciousness—the Mayo Clinic suggests you immediately do the following:19
For more articles like this, check out our Living with Allergies section of our website and our Allergen Fact Sheets, which provide basic info and exposure-reduction tips for more than 60 allergens, including mold, pet dander, cockroaches, dust mites, pollen, alpha-Gal, insect venom, and more).
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