Allergies and Anaphylaxis

Last updated: 31 August 2009

Allergies

Allergies occur when an overactive immune system produces antibodies (IgE) against substances in the environment (allergens) that are usually harmless. However, exposure to an allergen can result in symptoms that vary from a mild to life-threatening, sudden reaction.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe and sudden allergic reaction. It can occur when a susceptible person is exposed to an allergen (such as certain foods or an insect sting). Reactions usually begin within minutes of exposure and can progress rapidly over a period of up to two hours or more. Anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening and always requires an emergency response.

Further Information

The NSW Department of Health have been working with the NSW children's hospitals (The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children's Hospital, and Kaleidoscope, Hunter Children's Health Network) who have jointly developed a range of fact sheets on allergy and anaphylaxis. These fact sheets have been placed on The Children's Hospital at Westmead website - a NSW Health organisation which is dedicated to paediatric services. The fact sheet is available at http://www.chw.edu.au/parents/factsheets/.

Further information on allergy and anaphylaxis can be accessed through the following links:

• Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology & Allergy (ASCIA)  http://www.allergy.org.au/
• Anaphylaxis Australia   http://www.allergyfacts.org.au/index.html
• World Allergy Organisation  http://www.worldallergy.org/index.php
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology  http://www.acaai.org/
• The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology  http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/623368/description
• Allergy UK  http://www.allergyuk.org/
• The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (USA)  http://www.foodallergy.org/