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How Referral to an Allergy/Immunology Physician can Help in the Diagnosis and Management of Anaphylaxis
1. Allergy/Immunology physicians can help to diagnose Anaphylaxis.
- Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can involve the entire body. Patients experiencing anaphylaxis can have trouble breathing, hives, itching and can experience a loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis can lead to death very quickly without proper treatment.
- Anaphylaxis can occur in individuals after exposure to a substance to which they are allergic. This can even be a substance that they have tolerated exposure to in the past. Common substances which can trigger anaphylaxis are foods, medications and insect stings. It is estimated that up to 15% of the population is at risk for anaphylaxis.
- When there is a question about whether an anaphylactic reaction has occurred, the allergy/immunology specialist can provide expert advice and possibly suggest further tests to confirm the diagnosis.
2. Allergy/Immunology physicians can help to identify the symptoms of anaphylaxis
- Symptoms of anaphylaxis can progress very quickly. The allergy/immunology specialist can provide extensive education regarding the symptoms of anaphylaxis including but not limited to:
- Wheezing, shortness of breath, throat tightness, cough, hoarse voice, chest pain/tightness, nasal congestion, trouble swallowing
- Nausea, abdominal pain/cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, itching of the mouth, throat, anus.
- Pale/blue color of skin, poor pulse, fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness, low blood pressure, shock
- Anxiety, feeling of “impending doom”, red/itchy/watery eyes, headache, cramping of the uterus.
3. Allergy/Immunology physicians can help to identify potential causes of anaphylaxis
- Allergist can perform skin tests, blood tests, and sometimes challenges to
confirm the cause of anaphylaxis
- Foods-while any food can trigger an anaphylactic reaction, there are certain foods more likely to be responsible. Some of the most common triggers are peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, milk and eggs.
- Medications-Any medication can cause an allergic reaction. Antibiotics and medications used to treat seizures are the most common ones. Vaccines, blood and blood products, X-ray dyes, pain medications and other drugs may cause allergic reactions.
- Stinging insects-such as yellow jackets, wasps, hornets, honeybees and fire ants can be the cause of severe, life threatening allergic reactions.
- Latex-a rubber product-is increasingly to blame for allergic reactions. While many medical devices are made of latex, latex is also found in numerous household products including clothing.
- Exercise-while rare, can also cause an anaphylactic reaction. Often, it is in conjunction with eating certain foods.
- Other-items which have also been shown to cause anaphylaxis in some individuals are seminal fluid, hormones, and exposure to cold.
4. Allergy/Immunology physicians can provide education on avoidance of potential allergens
- By providing information and education on how to interpret labels on foods, by asking the right questions in restaurants, and avoiding cross-contamination of foods.
- Regarding items which attract insects like perfumes, bright colors and risky activities.
- By identifying causative medications and making recommendations for change.
5. Allergy/Immunology physicians can provide preventative treatment for causes of anaphylaxis
- Immunotherapy or allergy shots can be highly effective in eliminating the risk of anaphylaxis from stinging insects.
- Changing and avoiding certain medications can significantly reduce the risk of anaphylaxis
- Prescribing an adrenalin (epinephrine) syringe and instructing the patient on when and how to use it is a critical therapy for patients with anaphylaxis to prevent future reactions from becoming severe.
- Recommending a Medical Alert bracelet or necklace is an important step in the preventative treatment of anaphylaxis. These tags can also provide other critical information regarding your allergies.
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