What is Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock) is an allergic condition that can be severe and fatal. Anaphylaxis is the body’s immune system responding poorly to a trigger, such as food, which is misinterpreted by the immune system as a threat to the body. Anaphylaxis must be treated as a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
What are the symptoms of anaphylactic shock?
Anaphylaxis symptoms usually begin between three to sixty minutes after contact with an allergen. When you have an extreme allergic reaction, you may feel unwell, dizzy, or faint due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. Narrowing of the airways can occur at the same time, with or without a decrease in blood pressure.
You may experience any of the following symptoms listed below:
• Swelling of the eyes, lips, eyelids, hands, feet, or any other areas of the body.
• Itching.
• Redness of the eyes and an intense urge to itch them.
• Change in heart rate.
• Skin itching or a skin rash.
• Loss of consciousness due to the sharp drop in blood pressure.
• Abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Nausea and fever.
What are the triggers and causes of anaphylaxis?
The triggers and causes include the following:
1 Food: Nuts, shellfish, eggs, milk, flour, soy, and sesame seeds.
2 Medications: Penicillin and some other antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen, anesthetics, and some painkillers.
3 Bee and insect stings.
4 Latex (Rubber).
5 Exercise.
6 Exposure to cold air and water.
What are the risk factors for anaphylaxis?
• If you have previously experienced anaphylaxis, your chances of experiencing severe allergic reactions will increase.
• Future allergic reactions may be more severe than previous ones.
• People suffering from asthma are at an increased risk of anaphylaxis.
• If you have family members who have experienced anaphylaxis resulting from exercise and training, your risk of this type of anaphylaxis is higher than for someone without a family history of anaphylaxis among its members.
What is the treatment for anaphylactic shock?
During an anaphylactic shock, the emergency medical team may resort to performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the event that breathing or the heartbeat stops. Medications that may be given include:
• Epinephrine: To reduce your body’s response to the allergy.
• Oxygen: To help compensate for shortness of breath.
• Intravenous Antihistamines & Cortisone: To reduce inflammation in the bronchial tubes and airways to improve breathing.
• Beta Agonists: For example, Ventolin to relieve symptoms of shortness of breath.
Can anaphylactic shock be avoided?
If you have an allergic reaction, doctors will resort to performing some tests to determine the nature of the allergy and the substances you suffer from. Once you know the trigger behind the allergic reactions, you can take steps to avoid it.
