Asthma or Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a life threatening allergic reaction that can affect your skin , mouth , stomach , lungs or heart. Anyone can develop a severe allergic reaction , but people with a history of allergies , asthma or eczema are at greater risk for anaphylaxis than other people.

It is most often caused by exposure to:

•  Foods such as peanuts , tree nuts , fish , shellfish , milk and eggs.

•  Stinging insects like bees or wasps

•  Latex , from certain balloons and kitchen gloves

•  Medications , including aspirin and certain antibiotics

•  And Exercise .

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include hives or generalized itching , swelling of the throat or tongue , difficulty breathing , dizziness , severe headache , stomach cramps , nausea or diarrhea. People with asthma may have more severe symptoms including tightened airways and they may not realize that it's anaphylaxis but instead think that it's a severe asthma attack.

The best way to avoid anaphylaxis is to talk to your doctor. If you have ever had symptoms such as hives or a swollen throat after exposure to foods , stinging insects , latex , or medication , write down your symptoms and what you were doing before and during your reaction. Your doctor will evaluate you further and if needed , prescribe an “auto-injectable epinephrine.”

Key Points to Remember:

• Early food allergy symptoms can be mistaken for asthma symptoms.
• If you have a food allergy and asthma and have sudden onset of severe asthma symptoms after eating , then assume that you ingested your food allergen and immediately use your epinephrine , and get to an ER quickly.
• Inhalers won't' stop anaphylaxis , but epinephrine will stop either an asthma attack or anaphylaxis.

Adapted from Allergy and Asthma Today, 2008

“When Anaphylaxis looks like Asthma”