Idiopathic Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is generally thought of as being a severe allergic reaction, but there is another kind of anaphylaxis attack that is not caused by allergies, and is unexplainable. It is called Idiopathic anaphylaxis.

An anaphylaxis reaction is considered to be Idiopathic anaphylaxis if there have been allergy tests, and no allergies were found, and if there was no heavy exercise to induce the anaphylaxis.

It can be quite scary and confusing to have such a severe attack and not know what caused it. If you have had an idiopathic anaphylaxis reaction, you need to talk to your doctor to come up with a plan about how to treat it if it ever happens again. Once you know you are susceptible to idiopathic anaphylaxis, you need to know how to recognize the early symptoms, and what to do for yourself in an emergency.

Symptoms of idiopathic anaphylaxis:

Swelling of the mouth, throat, lips, eyes, hands, or feet
Redness or hives, with or without itching
Wheezing, difficulty breathing, tightness in lungs
Heart palpitations
Tingling sensation in the mouth, throat, or on the tongue
Sudden digestive problems
Confusion, fear, anxiety

The symptoms usually appear quickly and can become life threatening in moments. Taking immediate action to treat idiopathic anaphylaxis is important and may save the life of the victim.

Here's what is most often recommended if you have ever experience an idiopathic anaphylaxis attack:

Remain as calm as possible
Call 911
Wear a medical ID bracelet that identifies you as having idiopathic anaphylaxis
Have an EpiPen in your possession at all times. You can administer this yourself if you notice the symptoms coming on.
Know what all the possible symptoms are so you will recognize it if it ever happens again
Have a plan of action that you and your doctor come up with together
Let the people close to you, and anyone you spend a lot of time with, know about the possibility of you having idiopathic anaphylaxis. Educate them on how to treat it and what to do for you if it happens in their presence.

For more information about idiopathic anaphylaxis, and how you can be prepared, visit Allergy Anaphylaxis.