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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
People with known allergies or have certain conditions (asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), eczema, sinusitis) need to be aware that they may experience an anaphylactic reaction and should be prepared.
Strategies to reduce risk of serious anaphylactic reaction
- Alert your school or workplace - whatever your allergy, especially if it causes a serious reaction and symptoms, always let your school know (teachers, other children and the canteen) or your workplace (boss and coworkers), so that they can be aware of your allergy and keep the specific allergen away from you. Due to an increased rate of children becoming severely allergic to peanuts, some schools are now becoming peanut-free to reduce the risk of a child dying from a peanut allergy
- Avoid the allergen - to your utmost ability, avoid the allergen which may cause a serious allergic reaction and anaphylaxis symptoms. Always read labels and ask questions about food you eat. Make sure you let the restaurant staff know that you have a serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to the specific food so that they can prepare your food correctly without risk. If you are allergic to certain insects, make sure you wear insect repellant. If you are allergic to latex, keep away from it and let other people know that you are allergic to it, so that they do not prepare your food with latex gloves, as this can rarely, in some people with a latex allergy, cause an anaphylactic reaction
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- Inform others of your allergy - always let other people know that you have a serious allergic reaction to a certain substance and let them know what you need them to do in an emergency. This includes, teachers at school, friends, family and coworkers
- Medical alert bracelet - people with anaphylaxis can also wear a medical alert bracelet to let other people know what substance they are allergic to and what medicine they need to counteract their allergy
- Medical emergency kit - always have a medical emergency kit with medication (epinephrine and an antihistamine) close by and show your teachers, coworkers, friends and family how to use the medication in case of an emergency
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< 10: alternative treatment 12: caregiving > 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.
