Table 1 Causes of anaphylaxis

Common

• Foods: most commonly peanuts, tree nuts, egg, fish, shellfish, cow’s milk, and wheat

• Medications: most commonly antibiotics and NSAID

• Allergen immunotherapy

• Insect stings (bees and wasps)

• Unidentified (no cause found; idiopathic anaphylaxis)

Less common

• Exercise

• Natural rubber latex

• Semen

• Hormonal changes: menstrual factors

• Topical medications (e.g., chlorhexidine, polysporin)

• Transfusions