Sometimes, Allergies Can Be Deadly

For many people, allergies to things in the environment mean seasons of sneezing, watery eyes and itchy skin.

But some alergies can turn deadly, experts say.

Anaphylaxis -- an extreme allergic reaction -- can cause hives, shortness of breath, passing out and even death.

Insect stings, food and latex allergies are more likely to result in anaphylaxis than airborne allergies, said Dr. Jill Poole of the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

She said anaphylaxis is a hot topic among doctors because the incidence of reported allergy sufferers is rising in the U.S. Existing allergies or asthma can be a sign someone will have a dangerous reaction down the road, and sometimes insect allergies don't show up until after the age of 12, and sometimes as late as the 20s or 30s.

Dr. Rita Cydulka of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine said that nuts, fruit, eggs, milk and shelfish are the most common foods for bad reactions. Food allergies usually appear early in life.

Doctors said avoiding substances that cause problems for you is the best way for someone to protect herself from anaphylaxis. Sufferers are also encouraged to carry epinephrine and Benadryl to administer to themselves in the event of a whole-body reaction.

If hives break out, breath gets short you have another extreme response, don't wait to get help.

"If you start wheezing or other symptoms -- whole-body reactions -- you want to get to emergency care and not just take a Benadryl and wait it out," Poole said.