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Will I Be Prone To Develop Allergic Reactions To Other Substances Inspite Being Allergic To Herbal Medicine?
Question: I had hives and then anaphylaxis because of a herbal medicine ordered over the internet. I never was allergic before to anything. Will I now be more prone to develop allergic reactions to other substances or food than I was before? Do I need to carry an epi-pen and be concerned all the time?
Brief Answer:
Not more prone to allergic reactions then before
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting your concern to HCM doctors. I would try to give the best answer possible to help you.
Allergies may develop during lifetime, so people who have had no allergies, not necessarily will rule out the possibility of having an allergic reaction (like has happened in your case).
On the other side, during all our life, we may be in contact with new substances, and discover that we actually have an allergy that we didn't know. In this case, avoiding the allergen substance is the best way of treatment.
So, in other words, what my answers to your questions are:
-- You will be prone to developing allergic reactions to other substances, in the same percentage that you were before having this reaction, which from what I am understanding is very low possibility.
-- Remember the name of the herbal component that caused the allergy, and avoid it. As soon as you avoid it, you don't need to worry about. If it is something rare around (looks like during all your lifetime, it is the first time you were in contact with this substance), then no need to carry an epi-pen with you.
-- Though, the next contact with the same substance may cause a more severe reaction, because your body is sensitized now. So, make a decision if to keep an epi-pen with you, depending on the chance of encountering the same substance again.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarification.
Take care,
Dr. Klarida
Not more prone to allergic reactions then before
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting your concern to HCM doctors. I would try to give the best answer possible to help you.
Allergies may develop during lifetime, so people who have had no allergies, not necessarily will rule out the possibility of having an allergic reaction (like has happened in your case).
On the other side, during all our life, we may be in contact with new substances, and discover that we actually have an allergy that we didn't know. In this case, avoiding the allergen substance is the best way of treatment.
So, in other words, what my answers to your questions are:
-- You will be prone to developing allergic reactions to other substances, in the same percentage that you were before having this reaction, which from what I am understanding is very low possibility.
-- Remember the name of the herbal component that caused the allergy, and avoid it. As soon as you avoid it, you don't need to worry about. If it is something rare around (looks like during all your lifetime, it is the first time you were in contact with this substance), then no need to carry an epi-pen with you.
-- Though, the next contact with the same substance may cause a more severe reaction, because your body is sensitized now. So, make a decision if to keep an epi-pen with you, depending on the chance of encountering the same substance again.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarification.
Take care,
Dr. Klarida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you very much! Hives immediately started after I took the herb, they worsened over two days and then the third day I went into anaphylactic shock, I was bright red all over, with florid hives, very faint, high heart rate and chest pain, and had to go to the hospital. Is it possible that the most severe stage of the allergic reaction only occurs the third day, or is it more likely there was another allergen on top of it (this is my concern)?
Brief Answer:
Allergy skin prick testing
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Usually anaphylactic shock happens within the next minutes after the exposure with the allergen, and as much as the time passes the symptoms will not be severe.
So, the possibility of being something else, may stay. If you don't recall what can be the cause of it, you may consider doing the "Skin prick test" which tests your skin with a considerable number of common allergens and gives you an idea what it is that you are sensitive from.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you have other concerns. follow-up with me if I can help you further. Otherwise please and rate the question.
Regards,
Dr. Klarida
Allergy skin prick testing
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Usually anaphylactic shock happens within the next minutes after the exposure with the allergen, and as much as the time passes the symptoms will not be severe.
So, the possibility of being something else, may stay. If you don't recall what can be the cause of it, you may consider doing the "Skin prick test" which tests your skin with a considerable number of common allergens and gives you an idea what it is that you are sensitive from.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you have other concerns. follow-up with me if I can help you further. Otherwise please and rate the question.
Regards,
Dr. Klarida
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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