Common Causes of Anaphylaxis

Common agents known to cause anaphylaxis include:

• Medication
• Antibiotics, especially penicillin (the most common cause of drug induced anaphylaxis)
• Aspirin
• NSAIDs (the second most common cause of drug induced anaphylaxis)
• Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
• Anaesthetic agents (especially muscle relaxants) and contrast media.
• Food
  Food, e.g. peanuts, egg and seafood. Food is the most common cause of anaphylaxis in children. The clinical cross-reactivity with other foods in the same group is unpredictable.
• Insect stings
  Venom from stinging or biting insects can cause anaphylaxis in susceptible people
• C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency
  C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant, but also occurs with lymphoma and certain connective tissue disorders.
• Physical triggers
  Physical triggers are less common but can include things such as exercise and cold temperatures
• Biological fluids
  Reactions to biological fluids can also cause reactions but these are less common. These can include transfusions and semen.
• Latex
  Again less common, but is as an IgE induced mast cell mediated reaction
• Idiopathic
  Many cases can not be attributed to any cause.