Here are some commonly asked questions. The list is not exhaustive and it is not meant to replace consultation with your allergist. Many of the questions deserve more than the brief answer that accompanies them. They are offered as food for thought and to prompt further question. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us.

Questions and answers written by Jane Salter with editorial input from Milton Gold MD and Peter Vadas MD.

Click on the question to access its answer.

• What is anaphylaxis?
• How common is anaphylaxis?
• What is the difference between anaphylactic and anaphylactoid?

• How can I recognize a reaction?
• What happens during a reaction?
• Do reactions worsen with each exposure to allergen?
• Are some people more at risk of having a severe reaction?
• When is my child most at risk of an anaphylactic reaction?
• I think that my child had an anaphylactic reaction, but we gave the epinephrine quickly and symptoms abated. Are there any tests to indicate whether or not this was a reaction?

• What is the best treatment for anaphylaxis?
• What else can I do during a reaction?
• Is there a cure for anaphylaxis?

• What is epinephrine?
• When should I use my epinephrine auto-injector?
• How long will one dose be effective for?
• What are the side effects of epinephrine?
• What are the risks of epinephrine?
• What happens if I inject epinephrine into the wrong site?
• When does my child switch from a Jr. auto-injector to a regular auto-injector?
• Where should I keep my auto-injectors?
• How many auto-injectors should I carry?
• At what age should my child carry his/her own auto-injector?
• How reliable is epinephrine?
• Do I have to take any precautions with the epinephrine?
• I used the auto-injector, but there seemed to be some solution still in the device. Did I not inject it properly?

• What are the most common allergens?
• I developed a rash after Penicillin. Am I allergic to it?
• I have been told that my child has a "mild" peanut allergy. Do they really need to carry epinephrine?
• Is peanut oil safe to eat?
• If my child is allergic to peanuts, should they avoid tree nuts and vice versa?
• Is hydrolyzed plant protein now safe for allergic individuals?

• How can I prevent anaphylaxis?
• We are thinking of having another child. Is there anything we can do for this child to prevent allergy?

• Will my child outgrow their allergy?
• How can I tell if my other children are affected?

• Should I wear a Medic Alert?

• How can I travel safely with anaphylaxis?

Top of Page

Last date modified on Friday, August 1, 2008

Copyright Information | Privacy Statement

Developed by Marketlink Corporation.