What Causes Seizures and What Should I Do?
The honest verdict
This is usually not an allergy
Seizures are not caused by allergies. They result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The most common causes are epilepsy, head trauma, stroke, brain infection, low blood sugar, electrolyte imbalances, or withdrawal from alcohol or certain medications. In extremely rare cases, a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) could lead to a seizure due to oxygen deprivation or a dramatic drop in blood pressure — but this is not a typical or direct allergic mechanism. Anyone experiencing a seizure for the first time, or a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes, needs emergency medical evaluation.
This is a general research summary, not a diagnosis. It can't tell you what's causing your symptom — a clinician can.
Check this first
When seizures is an emergency
Most of the time this can be handled calmly. But a few signs mean you shouldn't wait. Match what you're seeing to the right level of care below. Because this symptom can involve the nerves or the whole body, it's worth getting a clinician's eyes on it rather than self-treating.
If any emergency sign below is present, call 911 or go to the ER now.
- Emergency
Seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes (status epilepticus) — call 911 immediately.
Call 911 or go to the ER now
- Emergency
First-time seizure — anyone experiencing a seizure for the first time needs emergency evaluation to rule out a serious underlying cause (stroke, infection, tumor).
Call 911 or go to the ER now
- Emergency
Multiple seizures without regaining consciousness in between — call 911 (status epilepticus).
Call 911 or go to the ER now
- Emergency
Seizure in water, or the person is pregnant, has diabetes, or is injured during the seizure — call 911.
Call 911 or go to the ER now
- Emergency
Seizure accompanied by difficulty breathing, confusion lasting more than 30 minutes after the seizure, or a fever — seek emergency care.
Call 911 or go to the ER now
When in doubt, err toward getting seen. These tiers are a general guide, not a substitute for a clinician's judgment about your specific situation.
Key facts
About 1 in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime, but most do not develop epilepsy.
Status epilepticus (a seizure lasting >5 minutes) is a medical emergency with a mortality rate of 10-20% if not treated promptly.
Epilepsy affects about 3.4 million people in the United States and 65 million people worldwide.
What's causing it
The same symptom can come from very different places. Here are the usual suspects for Brain — the entire body may be affected depending on the type of seizure, tagged by mechanism and how common each one is — so you can see where an allergy actually fits.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. It is the most common cause of repeated seizures and is diagnosed by a neurologist based on clinical history, EEG, and brain imaging.
Head injury or trauma
A blow to the head, fall, or car accident can cause a seizure immediately after the injury or weeks to months later (post-traumatic epilepsy). Any seizure following a head injury warrants urgent medical evaluation.
Stroke or brain hemorrhage
A stroke (blocked or burst blood vessel in the brain) can trigger a seizure, especially in older adults. Seizures may occur at the time of the stroke or as a long-term complication.
Brain infection (meningitis, encephalitis)
Infections of the brain or its surrounding membranes can cause seizures, often accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, and headache. This is a medical emergency.
Metabolic disturbances (low blood sugar, electrolyte imbalance)
Severely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low sodium, low calcium, or other electrolyte abnormalities can trigger seizures, particularly in people with diabetes or kidney disease. Correcting the underlying imbalance usually stops the seizures.
Alcohol or medication withdrawal
Sudden withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, or certain seizure medications can provoke seizures. This is a medical emergency and often requires medically supervised detoxification.
Is this an allergy? Usually, no
It's a common assumption, so it's worth being clear about — and pointing you toward what's more likely going on.
Seizures are not caused by allergies. Allergic reactions do not directly trigger the abnormal electrical activity in the brain that defines a seizure. In extremely rare cases, a severe anaphylactic reaction could lead to a seizure indirectly — through a dramatic drop in blood pressure (hypotension) or lack of oxygen (hypoxia) — but this is not a typical allergic presentation and would be accompanied by other obvious signs of anaphylaxis (swelling, hives, trouble breathing). If someone has a seizure without any signs of an allergic reaction, a neurological cause is responsible and requires emergency medical attention.
Because an allergy is unlikely to be the driver, the most useful next step is a clinician who can look at the actual cause — not an allergy test.
Relief you can try at home
If your symptom is mild and you have no red-flag signs, these gentle steps often help. They soothe — they don't replace figuring out the cause.
- 1
Stay calm and time the seizure
Note when the seizure started. If it lasts longer than 5 minutes, call 911. Most seizures stop on their own within 1-3 minutes.
- 2
Protect the person from injury
Clear hard or sharp objects from the area. Place something soft (like a folded jacket) under their head. Do NOT restrain them or put anything in their mouth — a person cannot swallow their tongue during a seizure.
- 3
Roll them onto their side after the jerking stops
Once the convulsive movements end, gently roll the person onto their side (recovery position) to help keep their airway clear. Stay with them until they are fully awake and oriented.
- 4
Do not give food, water, or medication during the seizure
A person having a seizure cannot swallow safely. Wait until they are fully alert and responsive before offering anything by mouth. Call 911 if the seizure does not stop within 5 minutes.
Stop any step that makes things worse. If the symptom isn't easing within a few days, check in with a clinician.
When to see a doctor
Any first-time seizure requires emergency medical evaluation — call 911 or go to the ER. If you have a known seizure disorder (epilepsy) and a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or you have multiple seizures without regaining consciousness, call 911. People with epilepsy should see a neurologist regularly to manage their condition. If a seizure occurs with a fever, stiff neck, or confusion, or after a head injury, seek emergency care immediately.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
No — allergies do not directly cause seizures. A seizure is a neurological event caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. In extremely rare circumstances, a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) could lead to a seizure indirectly through very low blood pressure or oxygen deprivation, but this would be accompanied by other clear signs of anaphylaxis such as swelling, hives, and difficulty breathing. If a seizure occurs without these signs, it is not allergy-related.
Stay calm, time the seizure, and clear the area of hard or sharp objects. Do not restrain the person or put anything in their mouth. Place something soft under their head. After the convulsive movements stop, roll them onto their side. Call 911 if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, if it is their first seizure, if they have multiple seizures without waking up, or if they are pregnant, have diabetes, or are injured.
A seizure is a single event — a temporary surge of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. A person can have a seizure without having epilepsy (for example, from a head injury, infection, or low blood sugar). Epilepsy is diagnosed when a person has two or more unprovoked seizures.
Yes — in people with epilepsy, stress, sleep deprivation, and fatigue are common seizure triggers. These factors lower the seizure threshold, making it easier for abnormal brain activity to occur. Managing stress, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and taking prescribed medications consistently can help reduce seizure frequency.
Status epilepticus is a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes, or multiple seizures without the person regaining consciousness in between. It is a life-threatening medical emergency because prolonged seizure activity can cause brain damage, breathing problems, and heart rhythm abnormalities. Call 911 immediately if a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Chet TharpeMD
Last reviewed July 2026
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Read moreThe best next step is a real clinician
This symptom is usually not driven by an allergy, so an allergy test won't give you the answer. A primary care doctor or the right specialist can examine what's actually going on and guide you from there.
Curex focuses on at-home allergy testing and immunotherapy, which isn't the right fit for this symptom — and never a substitute for medical care.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It cannot tell you what is causing your seizures or whether it is an allergy. If you have any emergency sign — trouble breathing, fast-spreading swelling, sudden weakness or confusion, or severe pain — call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For anything that is new, worsening, or persistent, see a licensed healthcare provider. Curex focuses on at-home allergy testing and immunotherapy, which is not the appropriate care for this symptom and never a substitute for a clinician.