What are the dangers of allergic reactions?
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction. It’s difficult to precisely report how many people die from anaphylaxis because the cause of death may often appear to be a heart attack. Fatal anaphylaxis normally occurs because of extreme allergic reactions to foods such as shellfish, cod, or peanuts, or to the venom of stinging insects like wasps or fire ants. Approximately 100 Americans die annually from anaphylaxis induced by stinging insects. Penicillin is the most common culprit in death from drug allergy. Anaphylactic reactions to penicillin cause approximately 400 deaths a year. Besides potential death, there are other long-term dangers of allergies. Repeated allergic reactions in certain areas of the body can result in damaged organs. Asthma, for example, can lead to irreversible emphysema.
