What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis may occur after exposure to
an allergen such as:

Fish

Food2

In Canada, the most common allergens in food are:

Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds
Eggs
Eggs
Tree nuts
Tree nuts
Fish
Fish
Sulphites
Sulphites
Peanuts
Peanuts
Milk
Milk
Soy
Soy
Mustard
Mustard
Wheat_triticale
Wheat & triticale
Crustaceans & molluscs
Crustaceans & molluscs
Medication

Medication3

Certain medications are more likely to produce allergic reactions than others. The most common are:

  1. Antibiotics, such as penicillin
  2. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen
  3. Anticonvulsants
  4. Monoclonal antibody therapy
  5. Chemotherapy
Latex

Latex4

Natural rubber latex is used to make some gloves, condoms, balloons, rubber bands, erasers and toys. Latex allergy occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to proteins found in natural rubber latex. In some individuals, latex allergy can trigger a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.

Insets

Insect stings/bites5

Most serious reactions are caused by five types of insects:

Fire ants
Fire ants
Hornets
Hornets
Paper wasps
Paper wasps
Yellow jackets
Yellow jackets
Honeybees
Honeybees
Bumblebees
Bumblebees
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes
Black flies
Black flies
Excerise

Exercise6

Exercise (for some individuals, exercise alone triggers a reaction within 45 minutes to an hour; for others, consuming a specific food up to a few hours before or after exercising leads to a reaction)

Unknown causes

Unknown causes6

Unknown causes (also known as idiopathic anaphylaxis, when no cause can be identified)

Always carry your EpiPen® auto-injector, if it’s with you, it could save you.7

Explore signs and symptoms

How is anaphylaxis treated?

An anaphylactic reaction should be treated immediately with EpiPen®. This is an emergency treatment. It does not replace seeing a doctor or going to the hospital.7

Knowing your triggers and avoiding them can help prevent an anaphylactic event.1,10 An allergist can help you identify your triggers and also develop specific avoidance measures tailored specifically to you.10

However, it is important to be prepared in case of accidental exposure to a trigger.

Have a Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI) Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan that you have discussed with your doctor or specialist. The action plan will help you recognize symptoms of anaphylaxis and understand what steps to take if you or your child is experiencing anaphylaxis.11

Download your anaphylaxis emergency plan

Make sure you always carry EpiPen® auto-injector — and know how to use it.6

Register your EpiPen® auto-injectors

Watch the how to use video now.

Additional Resources

You can find more help and advice on living with allergies and
anaphylaxis from the following organizations:

Food Allergy Canada

Food Allergy Canada

Allergy Asthma & Immunology Society of Ontario

Allergy Asthma & Immunology
Society of Ontario

Allergies Québec

Allergies Québec

The Association of Allergists and Immunologists of Québec

The Association of
Allergists and
Immunologists of Québec

The Canadian Society Of Allergy And Clinical Immunology

The Canadian Society
Of Allergy And Clinical
Immunology

References:

  1. Fischer D, Vander Leek TK, Ellis AK, et al. Anaphylaxis. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):54.
  2. Allergens and gluten sources labelling. Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-allergies-intolerances/avoiding-allergens-food/allergen-labelling.html. Accessed on 27 May 2024.
  3. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. Medication Allergy Defined. Available at: https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/allergy,-asthma-immunology-glossary/medication-allergy-defined. Accessed on: 7 September 2024.
  4. Latex allergy defined. Available at: https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/allergy,-asthma-immunology-glossary/latex-allergy-defined. Accessed on: 5 July 2024.
  5. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. Stinging insect allergy defined. Available at: https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/allergy,-asthma-immunology-glossary/stinging-insect-allergy-defined. Accessed on 22 April 2024.
  6. Non-food allergens. Available at https://www.foodallergycanada.ca/food-allergy-basics/food-allergies-101/what-are-food-allergies/non-food-allergens/. Accessed on 27 May 2024.
  7. EpiPen Product Monograph, https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp
  8. MedlinePlus. Allergies. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000812.htm. Accessed on: 09 May 2024.
  9. Cardona V, Ansotegui IJ, Ebisawa M, et al. World allergy organization anaphylaxis guidance 2020. World Allergy Organ J. 2020;13(10):100472.
  10. American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Anaphylaxis. Available at: https://acaai.org/allergies/symptoms/anaphylaxis/. Accessed on: 09 May 2024.
  11. Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Anaphylaxis emergency plan. Available at: https://www.csaci.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Anaphylaxis-Emergency-Plan_October-2020_a.pdf. Accessed on: 09 May 2024