Understanding anaphylaxis and food allergy
Adelaide residents and South Australian families... this week, we turned our focus to a matter most serious but yet, entirely preventable: the invisible peril of food allergy emergencies that affect thousands across our state.
Food Allergy Week 2025 was a noble initiative from our friends at Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, here once more with a resolute mission: to save lives through community awareness and emergency preparedness. Australia (that sunburnt country of pub meals and school canteens) holds the dubious honour of one of the highest food allergy rates in the world. Over 1.5 million Australians now tread carefully around the dinner plate - and thousands of them call South Australia home.
The growing crisis: Adelaide's food allergy reality
And let us not forget the astonishing 51% rise in hospital anaphylaxis admissions over just five years. That's not a slight trend for Adelaide's emergency departments, that's an escalation affecting real families in our community.
In 2025, South Australian businesses, schools, childcare centres and families are called to act. Whether you're planning a road trip through the Barossa Valley or jet-setting to Bali, this year's Food Allergy Week theme rings clear like a hotel bell on checkout:
Plan well. Eat smart. Travel safe.
It's not just a catchphrase for our Adelaide community. It's a lifeline that could save someone you know.
What everyone should know about food allergies
Let's educate ourselves about the realities of anaphylaxis, understand how EpiPens work, ask the right questions about food safety and be the kind of community member who brings more than just awareness... but genuine understanding and life-saving knowledge too.
Because when it comes to food allergies in South Australia, ignorance isn't bliss. It's a risk our communities can't afford
Understanding anaphylaxis: Essential knowledge
1. What is anaphylaxis?
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) defines anaphylaxis as:
Any acute onset illness with typical skin features (urticarial rash or erythema/flushing, and/or angioedema), plus involvement of respiratory and/or cardiovascular and/or persistent severe gastrointestinal symptoms; or
Any acute onset of hypotension or bronchospasm or upper airway obstruction where anaphylaxis is considered possible, even if typical skin features are not present.
Anaphylaxis is the most severe type of allergic reaction and should always be treated as a medical emergency. Anaphylaxis requires immediate treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine), which is injected into the outer mid-thigh muscle. If treatment with adrenaline is delayed, this can result in fatal anaphylaxis.
Emergency signs everyone should recognise
Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis as stated on the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis
Watch for any one of the following critical emergency signs:
Difficult or noisy breathing
Swelling of tongue
Swelling or tightness in throat
Difficulty talking or hoarse voice
Wheeze or persistent cough
Persistent dizziness or collapse
Pale and floppy (young children)
Early signs of allergic reactions in infants and toddlers can be subtle. Sudden onset of atypical lethargy, clinginess, drooling or irritability warrant close observation and immediate emergency response.
Some people can have anaphylaxis without prior mild or moderate allergic reactions, making awareness crucial for everyone in our community.
Understanding anaphylaxis triggers
Common triggers
Anaphylaxis triggers break down as follows:
Most Common Triggers:
Foods - 62% of all anaphylaxis cases
Medications (drugs) - 12% of cases
Insects - 8% of cases
Less Common Triggers:
Latex exposure
Exercise (with or without food consumption)
Cold temperature exposure
Immunisation (rare occurrence)
Idiopathic (unidentified cause)
Food allergy accounts for 62% of anaphylaxis cases, making food allergen awareness essential for everyone in our community.
The nine foods that cause the most reactions
While 90% of food allergic reactions are caused by the most common food allergens, any food may cause an allergic reaction. The nine foods that cause most reactions are:
Peanuts
Tree nuts
Fish
Shellfish
Egg
Cow's milk
Wheat
Soy
Sesame
How even a little amount of food can trigger anaphylaxis
Important safety facts:
A significant minority of people react to small amounts of food allergen
The Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Levels (LOAELs) are just 0.5mg protein for hen's egg, fish, peanut, milk, and tree nuts (Mortz et al. 2024)
Food-induced anaphylaxis rarely occurs unless the food is ingested
Casual contact such as touching or smelling food is unlikely to cause anaphylaxis
Allergic reactions can vary in severity due to co-factors such as exercise, concurrent viral infections, heat, or dehydration
What to do in an anaphylaxis emergency
Call 000 immediately.
Follow ASCIA Action Plan if available.
Administer EpiPen into the outer thigh.
Lie them flat.
This keeps blood flowing to the heart and brain. Standing or sitting can cause sudden collapse or death even after using an EpiPen.
Unconscious or pregnant? Put into the recovery position.
If they're breathing but unresponsive or pregnant, roll them on their side to keep their airway clear and prevent choking.
Trouble breathing? Sit with legs outstretched.
If breathing is difficult, sit them up with legs stretched out to maintain circulation.
Hold children flat, not upright.
When giving an EpiPen to a child, hold them lying flat or in your lap.
Remove the allergen if present.
Give a second dose of adrenaline if no response after 5 minutes of the initial dose.
If the casualty becomes unresponsive or not breathing normally, requires, start CPR.
Our community's responsibility in food allergy safety
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that can escalate within moments. As Australia's rates of food allergy and anaphylaxis continue to rise, it is more important than ever for Adelaide families, friends, workplaces, schools and community members to understand both the seriousness of food allergy and the essential actions required during an allergic emergency.
Food Allergy Week 2025 is a timely reminder that knowledge saves lives. Recognising the signs of anaphylaxis, knowing when and how to help someone use their EpiPen are not just medical facts, they are life-saving actions that anyone in South Australia can learn and apply.
The reality is clear: very small amounts of food can trigger severe reactions in some individuals. But with the right awareness, understanding and community support, we can minimise risk, prevent tragedy and create safer environments for the 1.5 million Australians living with food allergies.
So whether you're in an Adelaide workplace, classroom, café, or travelling abroad — Plan well. Eat smart. Travel safe. And above all, be ready to help when someone needs it most.
Because when seconds matter in any emergency, what you know and do could save a life.
Learn more about food allergy safety
For more information about food allergies and anaphylaxis:
Sources
ASCIA
The Australian Resuscitation Council
The information provided in this blog offers general insights only. The content is not intended to serve as medical advice and if you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 000 immediately.