Defining Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a potentially severe or life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur very quickly—as fast as within a couple of minutes of exposure to the allergen.

Many allergic triggers can cause anaphylaxis, including:

An allergy to a food like peanuts or shellfish

Bites and stings from insects like bees

Some medications (like penicillin)

Latex like the type of rubber used in some balloons 

Exercise-induced anaphylaxis is also possible, and sometimes anaphylaxis has no apparent cause at all (this is known as idiopathic anaphylaxis).

Learn more about some of the causes of anaphylaxis at foodallergy.org.

Anaphylaxis Signs and Symptoms

Anaphylaxis can occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen. Not everyone affected by anaphylaxis will experience the same thing. Know the common signs and symptoms:

Mouth

Itching, swelling of lips/tongue

Lungs

Shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing

Heart

Weak pulse, dizziness, fainting, shock

Skin

Itching, hives, redness, swelling

Throat

Itching, tightness/closure, coughing

Stomach

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps

Immediate Treatment Is Critical

Immediate Treatment Is Critical

Anaphylaxis must be treated quickly so the reaction doesn’t get worse. A delay in using EPIPEN can be life-threatening.