Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is always a medical emergency. It requires immediate treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine) — delayed treatment can be fatal. Anaphylaxis most commonly occurs following exposure to foods, insect stings, or medications in people who are allergic to them. Not everyone with an allergy is at risk of anaphylaxis, but for those who are, knowing how to recognise and respond to it is essential.
Signs of anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis can develop rapidly and may be life-threatening. Seek emergency help immediately if any of the following occur:
- Difficult or noisy breathing
- Swelling of the tongue
- Swelling or tightness in the throat
- Wheeze or persistent cough
- Difficulty talking or a hoarse voice
- Persistent dizziness or collapse
- Pale and floppy appearance (particularly in young children)
- Abdominal pain or vomiting (these are signs of anaphylaxis in people with insect allergy)
Signs of a mild to moderate allergic reaction
In some cases, a milder allergic reaction may occur before anaphylaxis develops. These symptoms should be taken seriously and monitored closely:
- Swelling of the lips, face, or eyes
- Tingling in the mouth
- Hives or welts on the skin
- Abdominal pain or vomiting (in the context of insect allergy)
What can make a reaction more severe?
Certain factors — known as co-factors — can make an allergic reaction more severe than it might otherwise be. These include:
- Exercise
- Heat
- Alcohol
- The amount of food eaten, or how it has been prepared (particularly relevant for people with confirmed food allergy)
- Certain medications or hormonal changes
Being aware of these co-factors is an important part of managing your risk.
Finding the cause
Identifying what triggered an anaphylactic reaction is a critical step in managing the condition safely. At Austral Allergy, our expert doctors and nurses will take a detailed history of your symptoms, review foods, medications, or insect exposures around the time of the reaction, and conduct a physical examination to rule out other conditions that can sometimes be mistaken for anaphylaxis — such as fainting or an epileptic seizure.
Allergy testing is often recommended to confirm or rule out specific triggers. This typically involves skin prick testing and may also involve blood tests for specific antibody markers.
It is important to note that many non-evidence-based allergy testing methods are available online or through alternative practitioners — including kinesiology, VoiceBio, and IgG food testing. These methods are not recommended, as they are unreliable and can lead to misdiagnosis, unnecessary dietary restriction, and poor symptom control. That’s not to say that all of these practitioners are deliberately misrepresenting themselves – often people have turned to them for answers when they’re desperate, and they’ve tried to help the best they can. But the results are not anything you’d want to base your health decisions on!
Ongoing management
Effective, ongoing management of anaphylaxis saves lives. If you or your child has been diagnosed as being at risk, management should include:
- Expert care — review by an expert allergist or immunologist to confirm triggers and develop a management plan
- Trigger avoidance — practical guidance on avoiding your specific triggers, which may include advice from an experienced allergy dietitian for food allergies
- An Anaphylaxis Action Plan — a completed written plan that provides clear guidance on recognising a reaction and when and how to use an adrenaline device
- Regular follow-up — ongoing review with your specialist to ensure your management plan remains current
Why adrenaline?
Adrenaline works rapidly to reverse the effects of anaphylaxis. It reduces throat swelling, opens the airways, supports heart function, and helps stabilise blood pressure. It is the only effective first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.
Adrenaline auto-injectors deliver a single, fixed dose and are designed to be used by anyone — a parent, teacher, childcare worker, bystander, or the person themselves if they are well enough to do so. If you or your child has been prescribed an adrenaline device, it is important to practise using it regularly with a trainer device so that you are confident and ready if you ever need to act quickly.
Need advice about anaphylaxis?
If you have experienced a severe allergic reaction, or are concerned about your or your child’s risk of anaphylaxis, our team at Canberra Allergy can help. No GP referral is needed — you can book directly with us. Give us a call today on 02 6180 8585, or book online at https://canberraallergy.com.au/book-now/
References:
https://www.allergy.org.au/images/pc/ASCIA_PC_Anaphylaxis_FAQ_2026.pdf