#anaphylaxis

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Here is a graphic every family with a food allergy should hang on their fridge to remind them how ambiguous and untrustworthy allergen labeling in the US is. If you're sick of this, sign our petition to the FDA demanding change: https://c.org/GgMycGby7j

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Traveling Abroad with Food Allergies? One Insurance Mistake Could Cost You Thousands - SnackSafely.com

Many travel insurers consider food allergies pre-existing conditions. Failing to disclose them could jeopardize coverage for allergic reactions abroad.

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Study Finds Restaurants Losing $12.6 Billion a Year by Failing Allergy-Affected Diners - SnackSafely.com

A new survey estimates unclear allergen information costs U.S. restaurants $12.6 billion annually as allergy-affected diners increasingly take their business elsewhere.

[neonchromesthesia]

My Wild Ride with Anaphylaxis OCD

In the beginning, I had an OCD obsession that anything I ingested, such as food stereotypically associated with allergies or new medicine, would trigger anaphylaxis. It was a fear that ate away at me systematically for years. I would have to scan my body for hours for signs of anaphylaxis after starting new medications, etc.

There were certain things I took comfort in. One of these was the knowledge that anaphylaxis usually hits within the first hour. The other was that psychiatric medication was highly unlikely to cause anaphylaxis.

Years passed. No anaphylaxis. I eventually obtained effective therapy for the fear and I stopped being afraid of anaphylaxis. Period.

Flash forward to this past spring. I take caplyta, a psychiatric medication I had previously tolerated, and I lay down to take a nap about an hour or two after taking it. And then

I get fucking anaphylaxis.

It hit about three-four hours post ingestion.

I was so unprepared for this situation I had feared for most of my life that I thought I had a completely different life threatening reaction called neuroleptic malignant syndrome. This was after I spent ten minutes telling myself my inability to breathe and stand up and my skin turning red/feeling like it was on fire was my usual dysautonomia being really severe.

I went into shock so bad I had internal bleeding in my Gi system. There was a point where I was pretty sure I was about to die. BP was life threateningly low.

Now what the fuck do I do? The OCD obsession is back worse than it ever was. I sometimes get flashbacks I'm having anaphylaxis again if I take a medication on the couch I collapsed on or the bed I fell asleep on as the reaction initially built up.

Why the fuck was my OCD right that I really need to look out for this situation. Also it turns out I had undiagnosed mast cell activation syndrome the whole time (which was finally diagnosed after this incident), have been having increasingly severe allergies to most antibiotics that I told myself was normal side effects, and basically have been at risk of anaphylaxis for my whole life. And now I'm terrified of the class of meds meant to treat my anxiety.

[wausaupilotreview]

While most insect bites and stings cause only mild irritation, some can lead to serious allergic reactions or illnesses, such as Lyme disease. 

Protect yourself from tick bites, insect stings

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Remember, when you suspect anaphylaxis...

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Pennsylvania Family Files Wrongful Death Suit Over Teen's Fatal In-Flight Anaphylactic Reaction - SnackSafely.com

A wrongful death lawsuit alleges false food allergy assurances and inadequate emergency response led to a teenager's fatal in-flight reaction.

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What Triggers Life-Threatening Allergic Reactions in Surgery? Insights from an Allergy Specialist - SnackSafely.com

Experts say careful allergy evaluation before surgery can improve antibiotic choices, reduce infection risk, and help identify causes of life-threatening reactions.