Getting to know

Even though any allergen can cause an anaphylactic response, some allergens are more often involved:

• Foods represent the leading cause of anaphylaxis, with up to 60% of all anaphylaxis cases being caused by food allergy. Of all foods peanuts in children and shell fish in adults most commonly induce anaphylaxis. However, fish, milk  and egg  are also commonly associated with anaphylaxis.
• Insect venoms  are the second most frequent cause of anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic reactions have been reported particularly in people allergic to bee, wasp, yellow jacket and hornet venoms. Anaphylaxis is rarer in individuals allergic to ant venom, and very rare in people allergic to the venom of other insects.
• Drugs  are the third cause of anaphylaxis. Drugs frequently associated with anaphylactic reactions include antibiotics (especially penicillin and penicillin related antibiotics such as ampicillin, amoxicillin and cephalosporins), aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs used in anaesthesia and substances used in radiographic investigations.
• Latex  allergy is also associated with anaphylaxis even though less often than the factors mentioned above. People particularly at risk for developing latex induced anaphylactic responses are health care professionals and persons undergoing repeated surgical interventions.
• Exercise  can also be a cause of anaphylaxis. Some people experience anaphylactic reactions when exercising while some others only when exercising after eating a particular meal or taking a certain drug.

Sometimes the cause of anaphylaxis remains unknown even when detailed examinations are performed by specialized doctors. The medical name used for these cases is Idiopathic Anaphylaxis (or otherwise said anaphylaxis of unknown cause).