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ANAPHYLAXIS


WHAT IS ANAPHYLAXIS?
 

Anaphylaxis is an extremely rare and life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms often appear immediately after exposure to the substance that is causing the reaction.

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Possible Allergy Symptoms:

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  • Itching, hives, redness, swelling, or a burning or stinging sensation

  • A drop in blood pressure, light-headedness, loss of consciousness, slurred speech

  • Difficulty breathing (or the inability to breathe), difficulty breathing, allergy cough, wheezing

  • Nausea, cramping, vomiting, or diarrhea

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We want to reiterate that anaphylaxis is rare. Most people who suffer from allergies will never experience an anaphylactic reaction.


POSSIBLE TRIGGERS/CAUSES
 

​Most anaphylactic reactions occur after eating or drinking a particular food, taking certain medication, or after an insect sting. In rare cases, anaphylaxis can occur after being exposed to the cold or after exercising.  Still others have experienced anaphylaxis for no identified cause.


TYPES OF EXPOSURE
 

  • Injections

  • ​Swallowing, even just a tiny bite

  • Foods

  • Medication

  • Inhalation - incredibly rare

  • Skin contact

  • Latex gloves

  • Medications

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Food ingestion is the most common cause of anaphylaxis, with nuts (especially peanuts) and seafood being the most common triggers.  Cow’s milk allergy and egg allergy are also common triggers in children. Most life-threatening anaphylactic reactions occur when a patient has eaten food that has an unknown ingredient in it. For example, some chili recipes contain peanuts as a thickener.

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For some patients, anaphylaxis involves two or more factors. Someone may experience anaphylaxis if they eat a specific food, and then exercise shortly after.  Alone, neither the exercise nor the food causes any reaction in these people. Allergy testing will help find the causes of these allergic reactions.


ANAPHYLACTOID REACTIONS
 

Anaphylactoid reactions resemble anaphylactic reactions but involves no real allergy.  The symptoms will be similar but caused by different biological processes.  Fortunately, the treatment is the same for both.  Unlike most anaphylactic reactions, anaphylactoid reactions can occur with no previous exposure at all. Both radiographic contrast agents (the dyes that allow physicians to see your veins and arteries on an x-ray) and morphine are known to cause anaphylactoid reactions, but these reactions are uncommon.


ANAPHYLAXIS PREVENTION
 

The first step in preventing anaphylaxis is avoiding the allergen(s) that cause you to react. This is often a challenge because you can unknowingly come into contact with an allergen.  Dr. Tamayev will have ideas to help you avoid your triggers. Allergy tests are an important way of determining what you are allergic to.

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Immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) are another treatment option that can help reduce your risk of a reaction and/or minimize the reaction.  Allergy immunotherapy is a very effective, natural protection for insect stings (wasp, bee, yellow jacket, and hornet) but is not practical or available for all triggers. Immunotherapy has some risk involved, but Dr. Tamayev is an experienced specialist that works in a controlled setting and can minimize the risk.

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If someone is allergic to penicillin, a good way to prevent a future reaction is to use an alternative antibiotic to treat the patient’s illness.  Dr. Tamayev may want to do an allergy test to confirm that you have a penicillin allergy. Usually Dr. T will ask you avoid penicillin and its derivatives. However, sometimes penicillin is the most effective antibiotic for a specific illness. If so, there are treatment options that can temporarily desensitize you to penicillin so that your doctor (perhaps your ear, nose, and throat doctor) can use it to treat your specific condition at a particular time.


ANAPHYLAXIS TREATMENT
 

Epinephrine is the prescription medication that is used to treat anaphylaxis. It is fast-acting and is administered by injection. If you have experienced an anaphylactic reaction in the past, we recommend that you carry epinephrine with you at all times.  For individual use, pre-filled syringes that are designed for self-injection can be purchased with a prescription from your doctor. It is important that you are trained about when and how to use epinephrine.

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Some medications for high blood pressure (“beta blockers”) counteract epinephrine, making it more difficult to treat you if you experience anaphylaxis. Therefore, if you on beta blockers and you are a highly-allergic person (or have a history of anaphylaxis), your doctor may want to consider other options for treating your high blood pressure.

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If you think you may be experiencing an anaphylactic reaction, you should seek immediate medical help. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening!


SUMMARY
 

If you are worried about anaphylaxis, Dr. Tamayev would like to help.  Dr. T has the latest treatment & testing, and sees pediatric and adult patients from all over NYC. Use the book button below to schedule an appointment today!

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