Have You Heard of Rebound Anaphylaxis?

Do you or a loved one have food allergies? Have they had a severe allergic reaction to a food?

You may know about anaphylaxis, but have you heard of "rebound anaphylaxis?" It's also called a "biphasic reaction." 

I have heard of it, but didn't think it would happen to me or my adult son.  

Anaphylaxis 

I have food allergies, as does my Middle Son.  

My last post was about my son having anaphylaxis from careless cross contact at a restaurant. (Yes, we reported it to the local health department so a food inspector could pay a visit to the restaurant). 

I was so relieved my son recognized the symptoms of anaphylaxis, self injected, and had a roommate rush him to the E.R. 

Fast forward 2 weeks, and I received another late night call that my son was having anaphylaxis and was being rushed to the E.R. - again. He was puzzled about what caused this reaction, but wondered if it was a piece of bread he borrowed from a roommate. It was a different brand than he usually buys.

This reaction wasn't as bad as the cross contact problem at the restaurant, but it was definitely  anaphylaxis. It seemed a little milder than the previous reaction. 

Anaphylaxis can be unpredictable.  

The ER staff was trying to clear patients, so after three hours, the doctor said my son was looking better and he could be discharged. 

Rebound anaphylaxis  

The nurse and a training nurse came into my son's room with the discharge paperwork. Just before they entered his room, my son complained that his throat "felt funny." He seemed restless and agitated, I could tell something was wrong. 

He said it felt like the symptoms were coming back.  

I asked the nurses if could give us a little more time, because my son felt like rebound anaphylaxis was starting. The senior nurse said, 
 

"Well, it's better he have rebound anaphylaxis here, instead of the parking lot."   

The doctor wouldn't give my son another Epi shot until he saw hives. About 5 minutes later, the hives popped up, so we pushed the nurse's button to alert the doctor. 

The doctor ordered a shot of Epi and said it was a good thing we caught the rebound anaphylaxis. 

Rebound anaphylaxis happens when the symptoms go away for an hour or longer, but then come back (even if you're not around the food allergen.) 

Rebound anaphylaxis (biphasic reaction) can happen up to 72 hours later. For most people, it can peak around 8-11 hours after the first anaphylaxis. 

As a public health professional, I knew about rebound anaphylaxis, but never thought it would happen to us. What is it that everyone thinks?

"It won't happen to me, it will probably happen to someone else." 

That night, my son was the "someone else".  

Please read the link above from Healthline to learn more about rebound anaphylaxis. It can happen to you or someone you love. 

Stay safe out there!

Hugs, 

Andrea