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Scroll down or Click Here forAllergens that induce anaphylaxis include food, stinging and biting insects, medications, and latex5,6; however, anaphylaxis is occasionally reported after direct exposure to radiocontrast media and can also occur after exercise (Table 1).5
| Table 1. Causes of Anaphylaxis |
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Foods*8,9
Venom†5,10
Medications‡
Natural rubber latex Exercise§ Radiocontrast media§ *Peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, and eggs account for the greatest number of anaphylactic reactions in children; shellfish is the most common trigger in adults.8 †Venom-induced anaphylactic reactions are more common in adults than in children.10 ‡Anaphylaxis in response to a medication can occur in patients of any age, but is particularly common in middle-aged and older adults.5 §In some people exercise and exposure to radiocontrast cause non-immune perturbations of mast cells and basophils leading to anaphylaxis.5 |
A diagnosis of idiopathic anaphylaxis is made when no triggers can be identified based on history, negative skin tests, and absent or undetectable serum-specific IgE levels. Every possibility of a hidden or previously unrecognized trigger should be ruled out before a diagnosis of idiopathic anaphylaxis is made.5
Certain risk factors may increase the likelihood and severity of an anaphylactic reaction and are discussed in the ‘identifying at-risk patients’ section.