Even if you’ve never had a severe allergic reaction, that doesn’t mean you’ll never need to worry about anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. “People can develop severe, life-threatening allergies at any age,” says Randhawa. “Adult-onset food allergies, for example, are becoming more recognized, and reactions can be just as serious as those that start in childhood.”
Similarly, just because allergic reactions have been mild for you in the past doesn’t mean they’ll continue to be. “Some people have unpredictable reactions — mild one time, severe the next,” says Randhawa. “However, once you’ve had a severe reaction, you’re at higher risk for future severe reactions, so it’s critical to be prepared with epinephrine.”
The bottom line: If you have an allergy that can result in anaphylaxis, always carry two epinephrine devices, and get emergency medical care right away if you come in contact with the allergen.