Anaphylaxis in Children

What is anaphylaxis in children?

What causes anaphylaxis in children?

Anaphylaxis happens when a child comes in contact with an allergen. The kind of allergen may be different for every child. Some of the most common causes include:

• Medicines, such as penicillin

• Foods

• Dyes used for medical tests

• Allergy shots

• Flying insect stings

• Latex

Who is at risk for anaphylaxis in children?

Anaphylaxis can happen in people without known risk factors. However, the risk is greater if your child has:

• Allergies

• Asthma

• Family history of anaphylaxis

• Had anaphylaxis before

What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis in children?

Symptoms appear quickly. Anaphylaxis may happen minutes to hours after being exposed to an allergen. Symptoms may include:

• Tightness or swelling of the throat, tongue, or uvula (small, soft pendulum that hangs down in the back of your throat)

• Wheezing or trouble breathing

• Uneasy feeling or agitation

• Widespread hives

• Severe itching of the skin

• Nausea and vomiting

• Stomach pain

• Heart failure

• Irregular heartbeat

• Lowered blood pressure

• Loss of bladder control

The symptoms of anaphylaxis may look like other health problems. Always talk with your child’s healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is anaphylaxis in children diagnosed?

A doctor can often diagnose anaphylaxis based on a medical history alone. The healthcare provider will look at the following to make a diagnosis:

• Any known allergies

• Exposure to allergens

• Description of symptoms

• Physical exam, including blood pressure

• Allergy and blood test results

How is anaphylaxis in children treated?

Can anaphylaxis in children be prevented?

Living with anaphylaxis in children

Key points about anaphylaxis in children

• Anaphylaxis is a severe and sometimes life-threatening reaction to an allergen.

• Anaphylaxis is caused by allergies to things such as medicines, foods, dyes, allergy shots, bug stings, and latex.

• Symptoms of anaphylaxis include: tightness or swelling of the throat, tongue, or uvula, trouble breathing, widespread hives, itching, nausea and vomiting, irregular heartbeat, and loss of bladder control.

• Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Treatment will likely include a shot of epinephrine.

• The best way to prevent anaphylaxis is to avoid known allergy triggers.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.

• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.