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Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is potentially life threatening. It must be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment and urgent medical attention.

Anaphylaxis is a generalised allergic reaction, which often involves more than one body system (e.g. skin, respiratory, gastro-intestinal and cardiovascular). A severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis usually occurs within 20 minutes to 2 hours of exposure to the trigger and can rapidly become life threatening.

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Common triggers of severe allergies or anaphylaxis include:

Food

Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy are the most common food triggers, which cause 90 percent of allergic reactions; however, any food can trigger anaphylaxis. It is important to understand that in some people even very small amounts of food can cause a life-threatening reaction. Some extremely sensitive individuals can react to just the smell of particular foods being cooked (e.g. fish) or even kissing someone who has eaten the food they’re allergic to.

Bites and Stings

Bee, wasp and jack jumper ant stings are the most common triggers of anaphylaxis to insect stings. Ticks, green ants and fire ants can also trigger anaphylaxis in susceptible individuals.

Medication

Medications, both over the counter and prescribed, can cause life threatening allergic reactions. Individuals can also have anaphylactic reactions to herbal or ‘alternative’ medicines.

Other

Other triggers such as latex or exercise induced anaphylaxis are less common.  Occasionally the trigger cannot be identified, despite extensive investigation.

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What is Anaphylaxis Help Sheet

Diagnosis

A person who is suspected of having a food allergy should obtain a referral to see an allergy specialist for correct diagnosis, advice on preventative management and emergency treatment. Those diagnosed with severe food or insect allergy must carry emergency medication as prescribed as well as an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis completed by their doctor. Children with food allergy who have a history of eczema and/or asthma are at higher risk of severe allergic reactions. Administration of adrenaline (epinephrine) is first line treatment of anaphylaxis.

Management & Treatment

Anaphylaxis is a preventable and treatable event. Knowing the triggers is the first step in prevention. Children and caregivers need to be educated on how to avoid food allergens and/or other triggers.

However, because accidental exposure is a reality, children and caregivers need to be able to recognise symptoms of an anaphylaxis and be prepared to administer adrenaline according to the individual’s Action Plan for Anaphylaxis. Research shows that fatalities more often occur away from home and are associated with either not using or a delay in the use of adrenaline.

Adrenaline injectors can be purchased through the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) on authority prescription or over the counter at a pharmacy. More information on prescription, including what dose is appropriate based on the individual's weight, is available through ASCIA www.allergy.org.au  Adrenaline injectors are intramuscular injections that contain a single, pre-measured dose of adrenaline that is given for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. The adrenaline injectors are for use by lay people without medical training.

For information about how to obtain an adrenaline injector see Buying an Adrenaline Injector FAQ.

Please consult your doctor for more information on allergic reactions, accurate diagnosis and management strategies. 

Food Allergy Basics

• A food allergy is an immune system response to a food protein that the body mistakenly believes is harmful. When the individual eats food containing that protein, the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, triggering symptoms that can affect a person’s breathing, gastrointestinal tract, skin and/or heart.

• Symptoms of food allergy can include; hives, swelling of the lips, face and eyes, swelling of the tongue, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain, vomiting or a sudden drop in blood pressure. If left untreated, these symptoms can be fatal.

• It is estimated that up to 2% of adults, 1 in 10 babies* and 6% of children have food allergy and some of them will experience a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

• There are more than 170 foods known to have triggered severe allergic reactions. Examples include kiwi fruit, banana, chicken, mustard and celery.

• Currently, there is no cure for food allergy. Avoidance of the food is the only way to prevent a reaction.

• Adrenaline is the first line treatment for severe allergic reactions and can be administered via an adrenaline (epinephrine) injector (such as EpiPen®, Anapen®).

• Food allergy is the leading cause of (severe reactions) anaphylaxis outside the hospital setting.

• Approximately 10 people die from anaphylactic reactions each year in Australia and some of these may have been triggered by food.

* Osborne et al. Prevalence of challenge-proven IgE-mediated food allergy using population-based sampling and predetermined challenge criteria in infants. J Allergy Clin Immunolol 2011; 127: 668-676 Permission is granted to make cop

 Content updated July 2021