Anaphylaxis causes

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1],Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Soumya Sachdeva

Causes

Anaphylaxis is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction to a chemical that has become an allergen. After being exposed to a substance such as bee sting venom, the person's immune system becomes sensitized to it. On a later exposure to that allergen, an allergic reaction may occur. This reaction happens quickly after the exposure, is severe, and involves the whole body.

Tissues in different parts of the body release histamine and other substances. This causes the airways to tighten and leads to other symptoms.

Some drugs (morphine, x-ray dye, and others) may cause an anaphylactic-like reaction (anaphylactoid reaction) when people are first exposed to them. Aspirin may also cause a reaction. These reactions are not the same as the immune system response that occurs with "true" anaphylaxis. However, the symptoms, risk for complications, and treatment are the same for both types of reactions.

Pollens and other inhaled allergens rarely cause anaphylaxis. Some people have an anaphylactic reaction with no known cause.

Drugs are considered to act as haptens that form immunogenic conjugates with host proteins.The conjugating hapten may be the parent comppound , a non-enzymatically derived storage product , or a metabolite formed in the host.

Anaphylaxis is life-threatening and can occur at any time. Risks include a history of any type of allergic reaction.

Common Causes

Anaphylaxis can occur in response to any allergen. Common causes include:

• Drug allergies(penicillins , cephalosporins , amphotericin B , nitrofurantoin , quinolones)

• Food allergies(peanuts , milk , eggs , seafood , nuts , grains , beans , gelatin in capsules)

• Insect bites/stings( yellow jacket , yellow and baldfaced hornets , paper wasp , honey bee , imported fire ants)

• Nonpollen allergen extracts(dust mites , dander of cats , dogs , horses and laboratory animals)

Broad Categories of Causes

• Hormones(insulin , vasopressin , parathormone)

• Enzymes(trypsin , chymotrypsin , penicillinase , streptokinase)

• Muscle relaxants(suxamethonium , gallamine , pancuronium)

• Vitamins(thiamine , folic acid)

• Blood products

• Drugs

• Food allergy

• Insect bites

• Latex allergy(occupation related)

• Sterilization agents