Question 1

What exactly is anaphylaxis?

Accepted Answer

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that happens very quickly and can be life-threatening. It affects many parts of your body at once, including your skin, throat, lungs, and heart. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 2

Can I get anaphylaxis from something other than food, medicine, or insect bites?

Accepted Answer

Yes, anaphylaxis can also be triggered by exercise or exposure to latex, and sometimes doctors can't find what caused it at all. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 3

How quickly can anaphylaxis start after exposure to a trigger?

Accepted Answer

Anaphylaxis can start very quickly after you're exposed to something you're allergic to, sometimes within minutes. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 4

Why does my throat feel tight and swollen during an attack?

Accepted Answer

During an allergic reaction, your body releases chemicals that cause swelling in your throat tissues, making it feel tight and hard to swallow. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 5

Will I always know what triggered my allergic reaction?

Accepted Answer

No, sometimes the cause of anaphylaxis can't be found, even after testing and investigation by your doctor. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 6

What tests will you do to figure out if I have anaphylaxis?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and what you were doing when the reaction started, and may do skin tests or blood tests to identify what triggered it. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 7

Can skin testing help find the cause of my allergies?

Accepted Answer

Yes, skin testing can help find which allergens (things you're allergic to) caused your reaction by testing your skin's response to small amounts of different substances. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 8

Will I need a blood test to check for antibodies in my system?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor may order blood tests to look for antibodies and other signs that confirm an allergic reaction happened. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 9

How can we be sure it’s not something else causing my symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor will review your symptoms, when they started, and what you were exposed to, and may do tests to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 10

Could there be tests that show how severe my reaction might get?

Accepted Answer

There aren't tests that predict exactly how severe a future reaction might be, but your doctor will assess your risk based on your medical history and past reactions. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 11

What are the best ways to treat anaphylaxis right away?

Accepted Answer

The best immediate treatment is an epinephrine auto-injector, which you should use right away if you're having a serious reaction, then call 911 for emergency help. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 12

Will I need medicine or can lifestyle changes help prevent it?

Accepted Answer

You'll need to carry an epinephrine auto-injector and avoid your triggers, but medicine alone won't prevent reactions—avoiding what causes them is the main way to stay safe. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 13

Can you explain how epinephrine works in case of a reaction?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine works by quickly reducing swelling, opening your airways, and stabilizing your heart and blood pressure during a severe allergic reaction. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 14

Are there any long-term treatments besides avoiding triggers?

Accepted Answer

Besides avoiding triggers, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids to help manage symptoms, but epinephrine is the main emergency treatment. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 15

Could I ever outgrow my allergies?

Accepted Answer

Some people do outgrow certain allergies over time, but this varies greatly—your doctor can discuss whether this is likely for your specific allergies. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 16

What are the common side effects of epinephrine?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine can cause side effects like a racing heart, shakiness, or anxiety, but these are much safer than the dangers of untreated anaphylaxis. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 17

Are there any other medications that could help manage my symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Antihistamines and corticosteroids can help manage some allergy symptoms, but they don't replace epinephrine for serious reactions. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 18

Can I take over-the-counter allergy medicine to prevent reactions?

Accepted Answer

Over-the-counter allergy medicine is not strong enough to prevent or treat anaphylaxis and should not be used instead of an epinephrine auto-injector. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 19

How do antihistamines work and what should I watch out for?

Accepted Answer

Antihistamines block chemicals in your body that cause itching and swelling, but they work slowly and can't stop a serious allergic reaction like epinephrine can. (Source: MedlinePlus)

Question 20

Will I need to carry an auto-injector with me at all times?

Accepted Answer

If you've had anaphylaxis before, you should carry an auto-injector with you at all times because reactions can happen unexpectedly. (Source: MedlinePlus)