LESSON 2 – ALLERGENS THAT TRIGGER ANAPHYLAXIS

FOOD ALLERGENS

• 90% of all allergic reactions are triggered by peanut, egg, milk, tree nuts (such as hazelnuts, cashews, almonds), soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame though any food can cause an allergic reaction.
• Peanut allergy is the most common with rates doubling over the last 10 years
• Approximately 1 in 30 children and 1 in 200 Adults have peanut allergy

BITES & STINGS

Insects – Bee, wasp and jumper ant stings are the most common insect allergens. Ticks and fire ants also cause anaphylaxis in susceptible individuals in some regions. It is important to flick out the sting, not pick it out. It is also important not to remove ticks without freezing them first.

MEDICATIONS – Pain killers and antibiotics are the most common medication allergens but also Anaesthetics both local and general can lead to an allergic reaction

OTHER TRIGGERS – Other less common triggers of anaphylaxis include latex, exercise, cold or idiopathic (this means the cause is unknown).

HOW MUCH OF THE ALLERGEN CAN CAUSE ANAPHYLAXIS

• In some sensitive people, only a tiny amount of the food can trigger a reaction

• While it is possible that in very sensitive people an allergic reaction may occur through skin contact or airborne particles, Food-induced anaphylaxis rarely occurs unless the food is ingested.