Allergies can be Life-threatening

The day Alex discovered his allergy to peanuts, is a day he will never forget. A peanut butter sandwich for snack time is a common treat for many young children, but for Alex, that seemingly harmless snack nearly cost him his life. Just a few minutes after his first bite, he immediately felt something strange. He started to feel his throat tighten and breathing was becoming increasingly difficult. He then started to feel dizzy, faint and lightheaded. Fortunately for Alex, the school’s staff had been trained to identify such medical emergencies and were able to bring him to nearest medical facility for immediate treatment. Failing to recognize a serious allergic reaction could have been fatal.

Anaphylaxis: A life-threatening reaction
An allergic response to peanuts would usually occur within minutes after exposure, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. Alex’s case is severe resulting in a medical emergency called an Anaphylaxis. Peanut allergy is the most common cause of food-induced anaphylaxis, a medical emergency that requires treatment with an epinephrine (adrenaline) injector. People with this severe form of allergic reaction must be treated as a medical emergency and will need immediate medication.

Anaphylaxis may manifest in more than one body part or system such as the skin, gastro-intestinal, cardiovascular and respiratory. Symptoms take effect in varying time, from 20 minutes to 2 hours after the person was exposed to the allergen (allergy causing substance). Anaphylaxis is considered as life threatening. The most widely reported triggers of this illness are food, bites and stings, and medication.

Signs and symptoms of Anaphylaxis can include:
• Constriction of airways
• Swelling of your throat that makes it difficult to breathe
• A severe drop in blood pressure (shock)
• Rapid pulse
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness

Peanut Allergy signs and symptoms usually include:
• Skin reactions, such as hives, redness or swelling
• Itching or tingling in or around the mouth and throat
• Digestive problems, such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting
• Tightening of the throat
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Runny nose

What is an Allergy?
Allergy is simply a response of a person’s immune system to some substances in the environment. Allergens (substances that cause allergy) can be found in pollen, house dust mites, mold, animals or pets, industrial and household chemicals and food. Allergies may also be genetic such as when one or both parents have the same disease – this is called Atopy. According to Allergy UK, one out of four persons in the United Kingdom suffers from an allergy; whereas in the United States, up to 15 million of Americans have allergies particularly to food. Studies of both countries conclude that more than half of the affected individuals are children.

Allergic Rhinitis (Hay fever)
Symptoms may vary depending on the type of allergy. Allergic rhinitis (or hay fever), is one of the most common allergic reactions usually brought on by pollen, house dust mite, moulds and animal danders. Symptoms include: runny nose; rubbing the nose/itchy nose; sneezing; itchy, watery eyes; blocked nose; and snoring at night. It is estimated that 10%-30% of the population worldwide is said to have allergic rhinitis at some point in their lifetime. In the Philippines, allergic rhinitis is one of the most prevalent allergy cases in the country with 20% of the population suffering from the condition, according to the National Nutrition and Health Survey, 2008.

Food Allergy
Also very common is food allergy. Though a majority of food allergy cases are not severe and usually disappear as the child grows up. However, some children may have a severe allergic reaction to certain food which will require immediate medical care as it may result to serious complications, even death. Egg, cow’s milk, peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, sesame, soy, fish and wheat food can usually cause an allergic reaction. A study conducted by Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2008 showed an 18% increase in food allergy between 1997 and 2007. Moreover, this kind of allergy according to reports results to more than 300,000 hospital visits a year especially among children below the age of 18. On average, food allergy conditions results in a trip to the emergency room every 3 minutes. Research also indicates that this is on a rise in all industrialized countries.

Asthma
Another common form of allergy is asthma. This is a kind of a breathing problem that occurs when exposed to allergens such as house dust mite droppings in dust, pollens and moulds. Symptoms include wheezing (a hissing sound while breathing), chest tightness, breathing problems, and coughing. Asthmatics usually experience these symptoms most frequently during the night and the early morning. Some asthmatics may require bronchodilators to ease difficulty in breathing during an asthma attack.

Other Allergic Reactions
Some other types of allergic reactions include: eczema, urticarial, and allergic conjunctivitis. Eczema occurs when there is a lack of production of fats and oils in the skin therefore it also lacks protection from the harmful substances present within the environment. Urticaria, on the other hand, is an intensely itchy rash, which is frequently an effect of food or medication allergy. Hives, in this case, appear as white or red in color, surrounded by a red flare. These may last for minutes or hours and may change in appearance, from round to oval, rings to patches. Lastly, allergic conjunctivitis is a result of the inflammation of the thin membrane that covers the inside of the eyelids and the eye, known as conjunctiva. Rare cases could be sight- threatening. Other symptoms include: itching, watering and redness of the eye, and most also have allergic rhinitis (or hayfever).

Given that there are various forms of allergies (from mild, moderate to severe), treatments and medications vary as well. Recognizing signs and one’s allergy is very important to prevent an attack. Food labeling and giving special attention to reading food labels is an important precautionary measure. Statistics show that most allergic reactions are caused by food. One example would be that of Alex’s case. Since then, Alex and his parents have been exceptionally careful about what he eats. They carefully read food labels and prefer home-cooked meals so they would know exactly what is in each and every dish. Though food labeling has improved over the years, there remains a need for a more detailed identification of food ingredients in commercially available snacks.

If a child has a family history of allergies or asthma, it would be advisable to get an allergy test to help identify the possible allergens or allergy triggers. Once a person is aware of that he has an allergy, first aid kit containing medicines prescribed by the doctor must always be readily available in case of emergency. Most people with history of anaphylaxis should keep an auto-injector of adrenaline available as a precaution and as prescribed by the doctor. However, for severe allergy cases, it is best to immediately bring the patient to the nearest hospital or call an ambulance for immediate medical attention.

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References:
NHS (2012). Five facts about allergy. http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Allergies/Pages/Allaboutallergies.aspx
FARE (2013). Facts and statistics. http://www.foodallergy.org/facts-and-stats
AAA&I (2013). Allergy Statistics. http://www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/allergy-statistics.aspx
Asia Pacific Allergy (2012). Prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Filipino adults based on the National Nutrition and Health Survey 2008. doi: 10.5415/apallergy.2012.2.2.129
Allergy and Anaphylaxis. (2010). http://www.allergyfacts.org.au

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