Why do I keep getting severe allergic reactions?

What exactly is happening inside my body during a severe allergic reaction?

Anaphylaxis is an immune system overreaction. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies latch onto the trigger, activating mast cells that spill histamine, tryptase, and cytokines into the bloodstream within minutes. This chemical flood explains the rapid hives, throat tightness, and blood-pressure collapse many people experience.

Histamine widens blood vessels and drops blood pressureUp to 30 % of people in anaphylactic shock see systolic pressure fall below 90 mm Hg, which can cause dizziness or fainting, notes the team at Eureka Health.
Swelling of airway tissues can close the windpipeLaryngeal edema can shrink the airway diameter by 50 % in less than five minutes, making prompt adrenaline injection lifesaving.
Tryptase levels confirm mast-cell activationA serum tryptase drawn within three hours of symptom onset often doubles the baseline value, giving doctors objective proof of anaphylaxis.
IgE antibodies stay primed for yearsOnce sensitized, your immune system can react to a peanut or bee sting decades later, warns Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.
Leukotrienes and prostaglandins continue airway constriction after histamine fadesMinutes after mast-cell degranulation, newly synthesized mediators such as LTC4 and PGD2 extend bronchospasm and promote mucus secretion, explaining why breathing can remain difficult even after the initial surge of symptoms. (Medscape)
A late-phase response can re-ignite symptoms hours laterThree to twelve hours after the first wave of anaphylaxis, recruited TH2 cells, eosinophils and basophils can trigger a second round of bronchospasm or hives, a phenomenon described in up to one-fifth of allergic reactions. (NIH)

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Which symptoms mean I should call 911 right now?

Some allergy symptoms are annoying; others are fatal if ignored. Recognizing red-flag signs allows you to get adrenaline and airway support before irreversible shock sets in.

Breathing is noisy, difficult, or stopsStridor, wheezing, or silence after a gasp signals airway closure; 80 % of fatal anaphylaxis cases involve respiratory failure, according to the team at Eureka Health.
Blood pressure crashes below 90/60Feeling faint, cold, or confused means perfusion to the brain is falling.
Hives spread over most of the body within minutesRapidly expanding urticaria usually precedes more dangerous swelling of the lips and tongue, notes Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.
Persistent vomiting or abdominal pain after allergen exposureSevere gut symptoms can be the first and only sign of anaphylaxis to foods like shellfish.
Swelling of the tongue or throat makes speech difficultASCIA warns that tongue or throat swelling, a hoarse voice, or difficulty talking are single-symptom reasons to call 911 because they precede total airway obstruction. (ASCIA)
Weak, rapid pulse or collapse signals anaphylactic shockThe Mayo Clinic notes that anaphylaxis can trigger a weak, fast pulse and sudden fainting; these cardiovascular signs require immediate epinephrine and emergency transport. (Mayo)

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Could hidden triggers or risk factors be making my reactions worse?

Many people never pin down the real culprit because allergens can hide in unexpected places, and cofactors—like exercise or alcohol—amplify the immune response.

Exercise can turn a mild wheat allergy into full anaphylaxisUp to 20 % of cases of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis involve wheat or shrimp consumed within two hours of a workout.
NSAIDs lower the reaction thresholdIbuprofen and aspirin increase gut permeability, letting more allergen enter the bloodstream, explains the team at Eureka Health.
Uncontrolled asthma elevates fatality risk fourfoldPoorly managed airway inflammation narrows breathing reserve during an allergic attack, warns Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.
Label loopholes hide allergens‘Natural flavors’ can legally include shellfish or peanut derivatives in certain countries—always contact the manufacturer if in doubt.
Adolescents face the highest risk windowA review of 88 studies found that severe and fatal food-allergic reactions peak in the teen and young-adult years, a period marked by delayed symptom recognition and treatment. (NIH)
Alcohol magnifies nut-allergy severityAdults who consumed alcohol with or shortly before eating nuts experienced significantly more severe anaphylaxis than those exposed to nuts alone, according to clinical registry data. (Healio)

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What can I do today to lower my risk of another severe reaction?

Preventing exposure and preparing for accidents are equally important. Small, specific steps make a measurable difference in survival odds.

Carry two adrenaline auto-injectors at all timesUp to 23 % of anaphylaxis cases need a second dose because symptoms return within 15 minutes.
Create an action plan and practice it quarterlyPeople who rehearse with trainers use their injector correctly 94 % of the time, compared with 55 % among those who don’t, reports the team at Eureka Health.
Wear a medical ID that lists your exact allergenParamedics can administer epinephrine faster when they see 'peanut anaphylaxis' engraved on a bracelet.
Ask family to learn CPR and injector use'Seconds matter; trained relatives double survival in home-based reactions,' says Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.
Call 911 immediately after injecting epinephrineKaiser Permanente notes that symptoms can return even after the first dose, so riding by ambulance to the emergency department is essential to treat possible biphasic reactions. (KP)
Talk to your allergist about immunotherapy that cuts reaction riskEveryday Health reports that monthly injections of omalizumab (Xolair) can reduce the severity of reactions from accidental exposure to common food allergens such as peanuts, milk, and eggs. (EH)

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Which tests, medications, and specialist treatments are most useful for severe allergies?

Your care team tailors evaluation to the suspected trigger. Objective lab data and targeted therapies can reduce risk and severity.

Serum tryptase within 3 hours confirms anaphylaxisA level above 11.4 µg/L strongly supports mast-cell activation.
Specific IgE and skin-prick panels pinpoint triggersCombining both tests improves diagnostic accuracy for food allergens to 90 % compared with either test alone, states the team at Eureka Health.
Epinephrine is the first-line emergency drugIntramuscular injection into the mid-thigh reaches peak plasma levels in 8 minutes—ten times faster than subcutaneous injection.
Oral immunotherapy can raise peanut tolerance 100-foldAfter one year of supervised dose escalation, 67 % of children tolerate at least 600 mg of peanut protein, notes Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.
Two epinephrine auto-injectors should be carried after anaphylaxis diagnosisWebMD advises people with severe allergies to keep two epinephrine injection kits on hand and to use the first at the earliest sign of anaphylaxis before calling 911. (WebMD)

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How can Eureka’s AI doctor help me during or after a reaction?

Eureka’s AI doctor app walks you through symptom triage, tells you when to call 911, and can request same-day prescriptions for replacement auto-injectors, with every order reviewed by a licensed physician.

Real-time triage reduces decision delaysUsers with suspected anaphylaxis cut time-to-ER by 22 % after following the app’s emergency prompt, according to internal quality audits.
Auto-injector refill requests are streamlinedThe AI gathers your history, then a doctor reviews and approves the prescription or recommends an in-person visit.
Action plan templates are built into the dashboard'Patients can print a personalized plan in under five minutes,' says the team at Eureka Health.

Why do people with severe allergies keep Eureka on their phones long-term?

Ongoing allergy care requires tracking triggers, doses, and reactions. Users find the app’s privacy, accuracy, and human oversight reassuring.

Symptom tracking detects patterns you might missOver six months, 61 % of users identified a previously unknown co-factor, such as alcohol, that worsened their reactions.
High satisfaction among allergy usersPeople managing anaphylaxis rate Eureka 4.7 out of 5 for ‘feeling listened to,’ according to 2024 in-app surveys.
Data remains private and encryptedOnly you and the reviewing physician can view your health log; no advertising partners receive data, stresses Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.
Seamless hand-off to specialistsDownloadable PDF summaries help allergists adjust immunotherapy without duplicating tests.

Why do I keep getting severe allergic reactions?

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Key Takeaways

What exactly is happening inside my body during a severe allergic reaction?

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Become your owndoctor 🩺

Which symptoms mean I should call 911 right now?

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Could hidden triggers or risk factors be making my reactions worse?

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What can I do today to lower my risk of another severe reaction?

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Which tests, medications, and specialist treatments are most useful for severe allergies?

Sources

How can Eureka’s AI doctor help me during or after a reaction?

Why do people with severe allergies keep Eureka on their phones long-term?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I outgrow a severe food allergy as an adult?

Is taking antihistamines daily enough to prevent anaphylaxis?

How soon after using an epinephrine injector should I go to the emergency room?

Does a negative skin-prick test rule out drug allergy?

Can stress trigger my severe reactions?

Is it safe to try new foods during oral immunotherapy?

How often should I replace my epinephrine auto-injector?

Are epi pens still effective after the solution turns yellow?

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