Anaphylaxis

Chapter 4: The extent and Burden of Allergy in the united Kingdom

read report

Nederlands Anafylaxis

"Although it has no universally accepted definition, anaphylaxis is an acute, systemic, IgE-mediated, immediate hypersensitivity reaction caused by a release of mediators from mast cells and basophils.1 Anaphylaxis affects multiple organ systems. These signs and symptoms develop rapidly, usually reaching peak severity by 30 min. The faster the reaction the more severe it will be."

From Nederlands Anafylaxis

Mayo Clinic

"Although anaphylaxis is the most dangerous type of allergic reaction, it's also the least common. Fortunately, you can be prepared to respond quickly and effectively to an allergy emergency by knowing the signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction and by carrying emergency medication with you. It's also important to do everything you can to prevent exposure to life-threatening allergens."

From Mayo Clinic

Allergy New Zealand

"Many people with allergies are living with the time bomb of life-threatening allergic reactions, where a mere trace of something as innocent as peanuts, shellfish, wheat, dairy products or eggs, an insect sting, exposure to latex or specific drugs can have them experiencing one of the most terrifying types of reactions; anaphylactic shock."

From Allergy New Zealand

FAAN

"Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe, potentially fatal, systemic allergic reaction that can involve various areas of the body (such as the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system). Symptoms occur within minutes to two hours after contact with the allergy-causing substance "

From FAAN

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

"Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that may involve the entire body. It can result in trouble breathing, loss of consciousness and even death. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment, and later follow up care by an allergist/immunologist."

From AAAI

Risks of Anaphylaxis

Gathered statistics of anaphilaxis that may not be those of Avoiding Milk Protein, they are gathered to compare facts about the risks from groups organizations and goverments read about risks

Asthma & Allergy Information and Research

"Anaphylaxis is the word used for serious and rapid allergic reactions usually involving more than one part of the body which, if severe enough, can kill. The word anaphylaxis was coined when scientists tried to protect dogs against a poison by immunising them with small doses. Far from being protected, the dogs died suddenly when they got the poison again. The word used for protection by immunisation is 'prophylaxis', so the scientists coined the word 'anaphylaxis' to mean the opposite of protection. What the scientists saw in the dogs helped them to understand that the same can happen in humans. This helped us to understand asthma and other allergies too, because they work in a similar way."

From Asthma & Allergy Information and Research AAIR

Also From Asthma & Allergy Information Reserach

"It is possible for anaphylaxis to be mild and to need little or no treatment. You would not think so from most of the information you read. Of course a life-threatening attack of anaphylaxis may look mild in its early stages, so you need to go for medical help just in case, and need to have the emergency treatment immediately available in case things start to go more badly wrong. In most cases it is better to err on the side of treating anaphylaxis early rather than to leave treatment rather late. But the fact is that many people get over anaphylaxis even without treatment.

The fact that previous anaphylaxis has been mild does not guarantee that it will not be dangerous in future. Most sufferers with mild attacks do seem to have relatively mild ones if they occur again. But deaths have occurred in people who had only mild attacks before. The answer is to be prepared."

From Asthma & Allergy Information and Research AAIR

Anaphylaxis Australia

"It is reasonable for non allergic children to consume foods that "May contain" around the allergic person as long as there is adult supervision and strategies are in place to minimise the risk of a reaction e.g. a no food sharing rule, hand washing after eating etc."

From Anaphylaxis Australia

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

"Anaphylactic reactions are severe allergic reactions that occur when the body's immune system overreacts to a particular allergen. These reactions may be caused by food, insect stings, latex, medications and other substances. In Canada, the nine priority food allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, milk, eggs, seafood (fish, crustaceans and shellfish), soy, wheat and sulphites (a food additive)."

From Canadian Food Inspection Agency

E Medicine

Websters Online Dictionary

"Anaphylaxis is a severe and rapid allergic systemic reaction to contact with an allergenic trigger substance (atopic or anaphylactic hypersensitivity). Minute amounts of trigger substances may cause a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis may occur after ingestion, inhalation, skin contact or injection of a trigger substance. The most severe type of anaphylaxis is termed anaphylactic shock, which may lead to circulatory collapse and death."

From Websters Online Dictionary

The Anaphylaxis Campaign

"Some people find that the allergy symptoms they experience are always mild. For example, there may be a tingling or itching in the mouth, or a localised rash - nothing more. This is not serious in itself, and may be treated with oral antihistamines. However, in some cases the allergy may become worse over time. It is wise in all cases to make an appointment with the doctor and seek a referral to a specialist allergy clinic. "

From The Anaphylaxis Campaign

More From The Anaphylaxis Campaign

"Peanut allergy among children has received widespread and shocking publicity in the UK media, and many people gain the impression that all cases are severe. This is not so; some children experience only mild symptoms. However, because severity is difficult to predict, all cases should be assessed by an allergy specialist, or a GP with a special interest in allergy. Even mild symptoms such as a tingling of the lips should never be ignored because it is possible that future reactions may be more severe. This applies to both peanut and tree nut allergy."

From The Anaphylaxis Campaign

Medicinenet

"Fortunately, anaphylaxis is rare. The death rate from anaphylaxis is about 1 out of every 2.5 million people per year.
Anaphylaxis is often triggered by substances that are injected or ingested and thereby gain access into the blood stream. An explosive reaction involving the skin, lungs, nose, throat, and gastrointestinal tract can then result. Although severe cases of anaphylaxis can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure and be fatal if untreated, many reactions are milder and can be ended with prompt medical therapy."

From Medicalnet