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- What is anaphylaxis?
- Symptoms of anaphylaxis
- Causes of anaphylaxis
- Prevention of anaphylaxis
- Risk factors for anaphylaxis
- Complications of anaphylaxis
- When to see a doctor about anaphylaxis
- Diagnosis of anaphylaxis
- Conventional treatment of anaphylaxis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of anaphylaxis
- Living with anaphylaxis
- Caring for someone with anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis may be unpreventable in certain circumstances:
- Unknown allergy - sometimes the first time a person (child usually) is aware they have a serious and life threatening allergy to a substance or food, is when they come into contact (eating, inhalation or touching) that substance and immediately develop a serious anaphylactic reaction. There is very little that can be done to prevent this since the allergy is unknown at the time, but much can be done prevent it from happening in future
- Unknown medicine allergy - sometimes the first time a person is aware they have a serious and life threatening allergy to a medicine, is when they develop a serious anaphylactic reaction to it after taking it. There is very little that can be done to prevent this as the allergy to the medication is then unknown, but much can be done prevent it from happening in future
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There are ways to prevent anaphylaxis from occurring in people with known and serious allergies to certain substances:
- Avoid allergen triggers - people (children especially) who know they are seriously allergic to a certain substance have to avoid any contact with it, to avoid a serious allergic reaction. Teachers at the school and other parents must be informed to reduce likelihood of the child unwittingly coming into contact with the allergen
- Avoid food triggers - people (children especially) who know they are seriously allergic to a certain food have to avoid not only that food, but any other processed food that may have had that ingredient added. This requires a lot of vigilance to prevent an allergic reaction. Teachers at the school and other parents must be informed to reduce likelihood of the child unwittingly coming into contact with the allergen
- Avoid latex gloves - this allergy is easier to avoid than some of the other ones, because latex is not often found in many places other than in latex gloves, balloons and some other items and can be easily avoided. A small amount of people though, are seriously allergic to latex and cannot even be in contact with anyone who has been wearing latex gloves
- Avoid medicines that cause an allergic reaction - medications that are known to cause a serious allergic reaction can be most easily avoided, but some vigilance is required, because the substance in those medicines can also be present in other medicines, which may sometimes not be easily identified
- Take care when exercising - people who know they can have a serious asthmatic reaction when they exercise need to ensure they are adequately prepared with their medication they take to prevent anaphylaxis
- Use insect repellant when outside - people with known serious allergic reactions to insect bites must wear some type of insect repellant and / or cover themselves to avoid being bitten by insects and prevent anaphylaxis
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Sections: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
< 3: causes 5: risk factors > Last reviewed: 18 November 2007 || Last updated: 12 March 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
