What may increase your risk for problems from an allergic reaction?

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What may increase your risk for problems from an allergic reaction?

Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medications, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your health professional.

Conditions

• A severe allergic reaction in the past
• Being female
• A family history of allergies
• History of frequent:
  • Respiratory illnesses
  • Sinus infections
  • Ear infections
  • Skin sensitivities

Lifestyle choices

• Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
• Drug abuse or withdrawal
• Smoking or other tobacco use
• Body piercings

Medications

• ACE inhibitors, such as captopril or enalapril
• Antibiotics, such as penicillin, cephalosporins, sulfonamides, or vancomycin
• Seizure medications, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, or valproate
• Beta-blocking medications, such as propranolol, timolol, or metoprolol
• Blood and blood products
• Complementary and alternative medications, such as echinacea
• Contrast dyes used in X-ray studies
• COX-2 inhibitors, such as Celebrex
• Enzymes, such as trypsin and streptokinase
• Medications used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin
• Vaccines, antiviral medications, and immunoglobulins

Diseases

• Asthma
• Atopic dermatitis
• Cancer
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Diabetes
• HIV infection
• Nasal polyps

Credits

Last updated:	July 11, 2007
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer