Tag: anaphylaxis

ALPHA-GAL CHALLENGES FOOD ALLERGY PARADIGM

November 27th, 2018 by FCAAIA

FCAAIA Notes: I have posted a couple articles about alpha-gal in this blog. In contrast to more typical allergic reactions, alpha-gal differs in that reactions do not usually start quickly after ingestion. Onset may take at least 4-6 hours (as compared to less than 30 minutes in more typical cases). Interestingly, because of the immune mechanisms involved, we still call alpha-gal allergy “immediate type hypersensitivity”.

This review is interesting and useful because Continue reading “ALPHA-GAL CHALLENGES FOOD ALLERGY PARADIGM”

FDA: CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTIONS

November 25th, 2018 by FCAAIA

FCAAIA Notes: Despite the warnings of this article, chlorhexidine (an antiseptic used on the skin) is really quite safe. Nonetheless it can trigger severe allergic reactions. I have taken care of a few patients with chlorhexidine-induced anaphylaxis, none of whom I reported to the FDA (maybe I should have?). This suggests to me that the FDA’s awareness of 52 cases is a gross underestimate of the prevalence reactions.

Just because something is over-the-counter (OTC) it is not necessarily safer than prescription medications. Many OTC medications were once only available by prescription Continue reading “FDA: CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTIONS”

IDENTIFICATION OF ALPHA‐GAL SENSITIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF IDIOPATHIC ANAPHYLAXIS

November 24th, 2018 by FCAAIA

FCAAIA Notes: The best first test to identify triggers to anaphylaxis is a detailed history. Most cases of anaphylaxis that have an identifiable and trigger start within a very short time after exposure to that trigger. A notable exception is described in this article. Some people have delayed onset of symptoms, most commonly from sensitivity to alpha-gal, a sugar on the DNA back bone. Almost all of those patients were bitten by the Lone Star tick. The tick is not just in Texas! It is present in large parts of the eastern half of the United States, including the Cape Cod and the islands off the Cape.

Do we think you have idiopathic anaphylaxis? Continue reading “IDENTIFICATION OF ALPHA‐GAL SENSITIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF IDIOPATHIC ANAPHYLAXIS”

FDA OKS EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTOR FOR SMALL CHILDREN

September 18th, 2018 by FCAAIA

FCAAIA Notes: In pediatrics, most medications re dosed by weight. Now, there is an auto-injectable epinephrine dosed for infants and toddlers. However, if you have a baby and have a 0.15 mg auto-injector, I would not discard it. First of all, Continue reading “FDA OKS EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTOR FOR SMALL CHILDREN”