Anaphylaxis is the term used for a serious allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.   Food is the most common cause of anaphylaxis.  However, it can also be caused by insect stings, latex, medicine or exercise induced.

In Canada, the top ten food allergens have been identified as: peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, milk, eggs, fish, soy, sesame seed, wheat and sulphites.  Of these, the five most common sources of food allergens to trigger anaphylaxis are:  PEANUTS, TREE NUTS, SEAFOOD, EGG AND MILK PRODUCTS.

Anaphylaxis affects multiple body systems including the skin, upper respiratory (including the mouth and nose), lower respiratory (including the lungs), gastro-intestinal (including the stomach and intestines) and cardiovascular (including the heart).  Anaphylaxis occurs when the body reacts to the exposure of an allergen.  It can present with a few or many symptoms including: hives or welts, swelling of the throat, lips, tongue, or around the eyes, difficulty breathing or swallowing, metallic taste or itching in the mouth, flushing of face, itching, or redness of the skin, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, sudden feeling of weakness, anxiety or overwhelming sense of doom, collapse, loss of consciousness, coma or death.

The onset of an anaphylactic reaction usually occurs rapidly.  However, some life-threatening reactions could have a delay.  There is also the possibility of a recurrence several hours after receiving effective treatment (epinephrine).  For these reasons, it is imperative that people remain in the hospital for anywhere from 3-4 hours, or longer, under the care of a physician.

The best treatment for anaphylaxis is epinephrine (usually administered through an auto-injector).   Epinephrine acts to reverse the life-threatening cardiovascular effects from an anaphylactic reaction.  For this reason, everyone who is at risk of anaphylaxis needs to carry their auto-injector of epinephrine with them at all times.

For detailed Anaphylaxis and Allergy information, please consult the following agencies:

Anaphylaxis Canada
www.anaphylaxis.ca

Allergy & Asthma Information Association (AAIA)
www.aaia.ca