Anaphylaxis

Last updated: Thursday, 28, October, 2010
CausesAppropriate Tests

The acute episode is an emergency, which must always be treated urgently.

Blood should be collected and stored for testing, including complement components C3 and C4; tryptase to confirm anaphylaxis, if indicated.

Subsequent investigation is required to establish cause: skin prick allergen testing with suspected allergens or allergen specific immunoglobulin E to detect specific IgE to relevant agents.

See also angioedema, urticaria

Drugs, especially

  • Penicillins
  • NSAID including aspirin
  • General anaesthetic agents

Therapeutic/biological products, especially

Immunoglobulin A to exclude selective IgA deficiency.

    • Blood component therapy
  • Allergen desensitisation
  • Insect stings

See Insect sting sensitivity.

  • Contrast agents
See anaphylactoid reaction

Food and other ingestants, especially

  • Egg
  • Milk
  • Fish
  • Peanuts
  • Shellfish
  • Other nuts

Contactants, especially

  • Latex

See Latex allergy.

  • Diethyl-meta-toluamide

Present in insect repellants.

  • Bacitracin/neomycin

Exercise-induced

Idiopathic