What is Anaphylaxis? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It usually occurs within minutes of exposure to an allergen. Anaphylactic shock can be caused by almost any kind of allergy, but it most commonly occurs from eating peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, or certain insects. Anaphylaxis can be triggered by a number of things: some foods, insect stings or bites, certain drugs like aspirin, or even latex sensitivity.
But no matter what the cause, the symptoms are always the same: difficulty breathing; hives; swelling in your throat, tongue or lips; vomiting or nausea; dizziness and fainting; drop in blood pressure causing you to feel lightheaded or have blurred vision and weakness in your arms and legs. If you experience any of these symptoms after eating nuts, seafood or anything that contains peanut oil, stop eating it immediately and consult with an allergist as soon as possible.
What Causes Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction that happens when your immune system mistakenly identifies something harmless — like peanuts, shellfish, or bees — as a threat. When this happens, your immune system releases large amounts of chemicals, like histamines, that can lead to a variety of serious symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and even life-threatening.
Anaphylaxis can happen quickly — within minutes of coming into contact with the allergen — after being exposed to the allergen only once or after you’ve been exposed to it several times without any issues.
Anaphylaxis is a serious medical emergency. If you have a food allergy, it’s important to know what to do if you have an allergic reaction. It’s important to know the symptoms of anaphylaxis and how to treat a reaction. You should also have an action plan for what to do if someone around you has an allergic reaction.
How to Recognize the Symptoms of Anaphylaxis?
Since anaphylaxis can occur suddenly, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of a reaction so that you can seek treatment as quickly as possible. If you notice any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing; hives; swelling in your throat, tongue or lips; vomiting or nausea; dizziness and fainting; drop in blood pressure causing you to feel lightheaded or have blurred vision and weakness in your arms and legs.
If you see someone having an allergic reaction, try to stay calm. Knowing what to do can help save someone’s life. Here are some steps you can take to help: Give the person an antihistamine.
If the person has an epinephrine injector, such as an EpiPen, inject it into their thigh. If the person has an allergy action plan, follow the instructions on the plan. If the person does not have an allergy action plan, follow these steps:
- Remain calm. If you’re nervous, the person may become more anxious.
- Stay with the person. Although it may seem helpful to leave the person alone, it’s important to stay nearby in case the person needs help.
- Keep the person sitting upright. Do not put the person in a lying position unless they’re unconscious.
- Keep the person’s mouth and nose clear of obstructions. If the person is having trouble breathing, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
The Dangers of Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can lead to death if not treated with epinephrine immediately. Anyone can have an anaphylactic reaction, but some people are more at risk than others. People with allergies are more likely to have anaphylaxis if they have a history of allergies and if they have a family history of allergies. People who have been stung by a bee or who have been stung more than once are more likely to go into anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis can be fatal if not treated immediately, so it’s important to know the signs and symptoms and to act quickly if you suspect a reaction. Treatment for anaphylaxis includes epinephrine (adrenaline), antihistamines for itching and swelling, intravenous fluids (IV), and oxygen.
If you go into anaphylaxis, make sure you tell the medical team everything you ate or touched in the past few hours. It will help them figure out what triggered your allergic reaction.
How to Treat Anaphylaxis?
If you think you or someone you know is experiencing anaphylaxis, begin treatment immediately. While waiting for emergency personnel to arrive, administer epinephrine (Adrenaline) according to the individual’s prescription or allergy action plan. Administer epinephrine as soon as you see signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, itching, or swelling.
After administering epinephrine, follow the directions for administering the auto-injector. If you don’t have an epinephrine injector, you can use an antihistamine to help treat hives, itching, swelling, or runny nose.
Other treatments for anaphylaxis include anti-inflammatory medications, oxygen, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and hospitalization to monitor the individual’s condition and give IV fluids, if necessary.
Conclusion: Understanding Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can lead to death if not treated with epinephrine immediately. Anyone can have an anaphylactic reaction, but some people are more at risk than others. People with allergies are more likely to have anaphylaxis if they have a history of allergies and if they have a family history of allergies. People who have been stung by a bee or have been stung more than once are more likely to go into anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis can be fatal if not treated immediately, so it’s important to know the signs and symptoms and to act quickly if you suspect a reaction. If you think you or someone you know is experiencing anaphylaxis, begin treatment immediately.
While waiting for emergency personnel to arrive, administer epinephrine (Adrenaline) according to the individual’s prescription or allergy action plan. Administer epinephrine as soon as you see signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, itching, or swelling.
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