Anaphylaxis is a serious and life-threatening allergic reaction and can occur within minutes after you are exposed to something you are allergic to. Sadly, data from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology states that about 1 in every 10 individuals in the US experience Anaphylaxis at least once in their life. Anaphylaxis can be deadly as it causes your immune system to release chemicals that make your body go into a shock. As a result, your blood pressure will drop and your airways become narrow making it difficult to breathe. The most common substances that trigger Anaphylaxis are insect stings, medications, and foods. When individuals with allergy are exposed to these substances, their immune system reacts to it in a protective manner by producing the allergic antibody lgE.
One of the most common genetic conditions is called alpha tryptasemia (HaT). This genetic condition causes an increase in serum tryptase levels. Typically, this condition affects 1 in every 20 individuals in which have inherited extra copies of the alpha tryptase gene. Because of that, they have increased levels of tryptase protein in their blood – whether there is an allergy reaction or not. A study shows that individuals with HaT have increased risk of experiencing anaphylaxis compared to those people without HaT.
What If Your Anaphylaxis Gets Worse?
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of an allergic reaction. Generally, allergic reactions are common in people who have a family history of allergies. When anaphylaxis occurs, you need to be injected with epinephrine before going to an emergency room. When left untreated, anaphylaxis can be fatal. Don’t wait for the reaction to go away. It is strongly recommended to go into an emergency room and get treatment.
If you experience anaphylaxis once, the next experience could be more severe. This is the reason why anaphylaxis should be taken very seriously. For more information on anaphylaxis, causes and how to avoid a crisis, contact us at Bernstein Allergy Clinic.
