Can an allergy be life-threatening?
April 28, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Erwin Ullmann
Dear Doctor,
my name is Carsten Heck and I have been suffering from various allergies for some time now. Lately, I have noticed that my symptoms are getting worse and I am worried if an allergy can be life-threatening.
I have already undergone a variety of allergy tests and know that I am allergic to pollen, dust mites, and various foods among others. My symptoms range from nasal congestion, skin rashes, and itching to breathing difficulties and circulatory problems. The latter especially scares me, as I feel that my allergies are increasingly affecting my daily life.
I am wondering if an allergic reaction can be life-threatening and what measures I should take to protect myself. Are there medications that I should always carry with me or other preventative measures I can take? I would like to understand how serious my allergies are and how I can prevent them from becoming life-threatening.
Thank you in advance for your help and advice.
Sincerely,
Carsten Heck
Dear Carsten Heck,
Thank you for your message and for trusting in my expertise in the field of allergology. I am sorry to hear that you suffer from various allergies and that your symptoms have worsened recently. It is understandable that you are concerned, especially if you are experiencing difficulty breathing and circulatory problems. I will try to answer your questions as thoroughly as possible.
An allergic reaction can indeed be life-threatening, especially if it is a severe form of allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. This typically occurs within minutes of contact with the allergen and can lead to life-threatening conditions such as difficulty breathing, severe drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and in extreme cases, even death. Therefore, it is important to take allergic reactions seriously and take appropriate measures.
To protect yourself from life-threatening allergic reactions, it is important that you know and avoid your allergens as much as possible. It is also advisable to always carry an emergency kit with you, usually containing an antihistamine and an adrenaline autoinjector (e.g. EpiPen). The adrenaline autoinjector is used to stabilize blood pressure and open airways in case of anaphylactic shock. It is important for you to learn how to use the adrenaline autoinjector and have it readily available.
Additionally, you can control your allergy symptoms by regularly taking antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids. It is also advisable to undergo regular check-ups with an allergologist to better manage your allergies and identify possible triggers.
Overall, it is important for you to educate yourself about your allergies, take measures to prevent them from becoming life-threatening, and act quickly and appropriately in case of an emergency. If you have any further questions or need more information, I am happy to help.
Best regards,
Erwin Ullmann
