Exercise is a crucial part of our daily lives, helping us to feel great and stay healthy. While exercise offers many benefits, it can cause issues for those with allergies.
In rare instances, exercise can induce anaphylaxis. This severe reaction affects the entire body and causes various symptoms, from hives to difficulty breathing. In combination with weather conditions, medications, or food, some people may experience exercise-induced anaphylaxis.
When Can Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis Occur?
A common misconception is that only vigorous exercise can lead to exercise-induced anaphylaxis. In reality, physical activity such as dancing or doing yard work can trigger this reaction.
Consuming certain foods before exercise can also induce an allergic reaction, which is known as food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis anaphylaxis. Foods such as shellfish, peanuts, corn, tomatoes, and wheat have all been associated with exercise-induced anaphylaxis. It’s essential to remember that any food can trigger a reaction, depending on your allergies.
Medications such as aspirin or anti-inflammatories and hormonal changes can also cause a reaction. Additionally, exercising in extreme temperatures or humid environments can bring on allergic reactions.
What are the Symptoms of Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis?
The symptoms of this allergic reaction can come on quickly, so it’s critical to understand common symptoms before they can escalate. The symptoms will often start as mild but can quickly escalate to more severe issues. These symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing or wheezing
- Cramps
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Hives
- Swelling
In severe instances, this can escalate to loss of consciousness, shock, cardio, or respiratory arrest.
What Should I Do If I or Someone Else Experiences an Allergic Reaction?
If you exercise and begin to feel any of the symptoms mentioned above, immediately stop your activity and rest. This will often resolve the issue. While monitoring your symptoms, if you notice they worsen, call 911 immediately. Signs of escalating symptoms include breathing difficulties, a weak, rapid pulse, pale and clammy skin, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
You may need to help the person administer their emergency medications using an epinephrine injector. If they have oral medications, don’t try to administer them if they struggle to breathe. You may need to begin CPR while waiting for the ambulance.
Emergency services will work to keep the person breathing and heart beating. They may also administer epinephrine or adrenaline to help reduce the body’s allergic response.
Sometimes, they may need to give intravenous cortisone antihistamines or beta-agonists to reduce inflammation in the air passages that often occurs with an allergic reaction.
Prevention and Preparation
If you have experienced exercise-induced anaphylaxis, you should see your doctor for a complete physical. It is recommended that you keep track of any foods you eat prior to exercising and the conditions you are exercising in. This will help you avoid the offending trigger, allergen, or food prior to exercising.
You should avoid exercising outdoors during extreme temperatures and allergy season for further prevention. You should also enlist the help of an exercise partner who is aware of your allergies and can help you in an emergency.
You can also educate family and friends on what to do in an emergency. Wearing a medical alert tag is also helpful, especially when alone.
Work with Our Allergy Specialists Today!
At Allergy & Clinical Immunology Associates, we offer comprehensive allergy care to help you exercise safely and enjoy your daily life without allergy symptoms. If you’re in Pittsburgh and need an allergist, contact us today!