Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening reaction to contact with an allergen — common triggers include nuts, shellfish, dairy products, insect stings, medications, and latex. An attack can occur even if you’re not aware that you have an allergy.
Anaphylaxis can happen within minutes of encountering a trigger. The attack can also start hours later. About one in every 20 Americans have experienced at least one episode of anaphylaxis.
Catherine Fuller, MD, an expert allergist in West Los Angeles, California, can test you for allergies so you know what triggers to avoid. She also prescribes epinephrine injectors, when called for, so you can stop an anaphylactic attack in its tracks.
If you or anyone you know exhibits symptoms of anaphylaxis, call 911 and get to the emergency room. About 225 people die from anaphylaxis in the United States each year. Signs of an anaphylactic attack include:
Prevention, of course, beats treatment. Here’s how to prevent anaphylaxis.
If you have any allergies, be sure that you know all of them. You don’t want to be in the middle of a meal to find out that you’re allergic to shellfish or on a hike to discover that you’re highly allergic to insect stings.
Allergy tests are simple, in-office procedures that Dr. Fuller selects based on your type and severity of allergies. She may conduct:
Once you know what substances you’re allergic to, you can move to your next step in prevention.
Develop a plan to avoid allergy triggers whenever possible. Your strategy changes based on what type of allergies you have:
If you have asthma, you’re at increased risk for anaphylaxis, even if you don’t have any known allergies. Protect yourself with allergy testing to identify and avoid triggers.
Carry your inhaler at all times. If you feel any indication that you may be having an asthma attack, use your inhaler right away. You can also use a device called a peak-flow meter to monitor your airways. Dr. Fuller lets you know what reading should trigger the use of your inhaler.
If you’re at risk for anaphylaxis, Dr. Fuller prescribes an autoinjector of epinephrine, which you should administer at the first signs of an attack. The medication stops your airways from swelling and shutting down and halts the anaphylactic attack.
Carry at least two autoinjectors at all times. If you have a severe attack, you may need to use more than one. Also, check the expiration dates on your autoinjectors and replace them if they’re near expiration.
In addition to carrying a food allergy card, wear an allergy bracelet or necklace to alert medical personnel or bystanders to your situation in case you lose consciousness. Let your friends, family, and colleagues know about your allergies and about anaphylaxis so they can react if you have an attack.
Reduce the number and severity of allergies you have with immunotherapy. Continue to carry and use your medication, as needed, until Dr. Fuller tells you it’s safe to stop.
Reduce your chances of an anaphylactic attack by calling Catherine Fuller, MD, at 310-909-1910 for allergy testing, medication, or immunotherapy. You can also use our handy online form to schedule an appointment.
