News Taffy

Last week I mentioned that my sister has had an anaphylactic reaction to a wasp sting while out gardening. Because I have allergic reactions to shellfish, I am at risk for an anaphylactic reaction too. Since warm weather and insects are here to stay and people will be heading to the beach and eating shellfish, now is a good time to learn more about this serious condition.

My sister was out mowing the lawn when she was stung. She headed into the house for some ice to ease the pain. Suddenly she felt dizzy and before she could do anything, she passed out. If her husband had not come in to check on her, she could have died. As it was, she got a ride in an ambulance and a night in the hospital.

Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life threatening allergic reaction caused when your immune system overreacts to something it shouldn’t. Certain foods like nuts and shellfish, many medications, especially penicillin, insect stings and latex commonly cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic reactions usually occur within seconds or minutes. Your body is flooded with chemicals and you may experience the following symptoms: a sudden drop in blood pressure, a rapid, weak pulse, skin rash, nausea or vomiting, feeling of warmth, trouble breathing, dizziness or fainting.

If you suspect someone is having an anaphylactic reaction, seek medical help immediately. Anaphylaxis can constrict the airways causing the patient to stop breathing or even stopping his heart. If the patient has had an anaphylactic reaction before and has an EpiPen, use it right away. Once you’ve had an anaphylactic reaction, you should always carry an EpiPen as you will be at risk for having another one which could be more severe. People with allergies or asthma are also at greater risk for having an anaphylactic reaction.

You can develop allergies at any point in your life and they may be relatively mild at first. I love shellfish and didn’t have my first reaction until I was in my twenties. Typically, my lip becomes numb and slightly swollen as if I’d had a shot from the dentist when eating shrimp. My gums may tingle. For years, I’ve only had problems with shrimp, then last year I had hives from eating scallops. Obviously my allergy is progressing, meaning I should avoid all shellfish.

If you know you have an allergy to certain foods, please avoid those foods. It can be hard as I’d love to have some crab or lobster or my beloved scallops but I really like to breathe more. You have to be careful in restaurants and make sure the wait staff knows about your allergy. Some people have such severe allergies that just the smell of the allergen can trigger a reaction so take other people’s allergies seriously. Always inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have had reactions to any medications. If you discover any wasp or yellow jacket nests, have an exterminator remove them for you. My sister now keeps an eye out for stinging insects when outdoors. As always, prevention is better than the cure!

Until next week,
Lisa