Anaphylaxis is a serious life-threatening allergic reaction. Early symptoms of anaphylaxis may be mild, but they can quickly become more serious. If you have allergies, it's important to talk about them with your healthcare provider. He or she can help you understand if you're at risk for a severe reaction. If you are at risk, you will learn how to recognize and treat it. If you ever have one of these reactions, you will need treatment right away.
Allergic reaction: AnaphylaxisAnaphylaxis is a serious life-threatening allergic reaction. Early symptoms of anaphylaxis may be mild, but they can quickly become more serious. If you have allergies, it's important to talk about them with your healthcare provider. He or she can help you understand if you're at risk for a severe reaction. If you are at risk, you will learn how to recognize and treat it. If you ever have one of these reactions, you will need treatment right away.CausesYour immune system helps your body fight off germs, but sometimes your immune system will react to certain common substances that are not germs. This kind of substance is called an allergen. When an allergen comes into contact with the body, the immune system releases certain chemicals. The chemicals include histamines and tryptase. These are what cause allergy symptoms. Sometimes allergy symptoms are mild. For example, you might just get a runny nose and itchy eyes. If your symptoms are worse, you might get hives.Anaphylaxis is the worst type of allergic reaction that you can have. It can cause symptoms such as trouble breathing, a racing heart, and swelling. The most common causes of anaphylaxis are certain foods, medicines, insect stings and latex. Foods that commonly cause anaphylaxis are nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, fish, shellfish and soy. People who have asthma are more likely to experience anaphylaxis.SymptomsThe symptoms you might get with anaphylaxis can occur throughout the body. They may include itchy skin, flushing, hives or swelling, itching, redness and swelling around the eyes, runny nose, a swollen tongue, feeling of tightness in the throat or trouble swallowing, hoarse voice, wheezing, trouble breathing, a racing heart, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, belly cramps or pain, low blood pressure, fainting or dizziness, and feelings of anxiety or doom.Anaphylaxis can come on suddenly and worsen quickly. It may happen only a few minutes after exposure to an allergen. It can also happen several hours later. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. If untreated, it can lead to death.DiagnosisYour symptoms and medical history may be enough for your healthcare provider to tell that you have anaphylaxis. If you have not had allergy tests, your healthcare provider might do them when you feel better. Or he or she may refer you to an allergist. You may have skin prick tests, blood tests, or oral food challenges. These tests are often done to identify your triggers and decide on treatment. They can help find the cause of your anaphylaxis and help you know what to stay away from in the future.TreatmentAnaphylaxis is an emergency. Tell someone near you to call 911 if you think you might be having anaphylaxis. A hormone called epinephrine is the most important part of treatment. The dose is given by an auto-injector. You should use it as soon as possible.Epinephrine will quickly control your symptoms. Your healthcare provider will tell you how and when to use it, and when a second epinephrine injection is needed.Even if you get an epinephrine injection and it has stopped your symptoms, you should be taken to the nearest emergency department for monitoring. To help manage anaphylaxis, you will be given intravenous, or IV, fluids, by healthcare providers. You'll also be given oxygen to help you breathe. Sometimes cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, may be needed.If you take beta blockers for heart disease, you may need other medicines to help epinephrine work better. Lying down with your legs up may help you feel better. Other medicines you might take include antihistamines. These block histamines and can help relieve symptoms like hives. Bronchodilators can help if you're wheezing or coughing, but these medicines by themselves are not able to treat anaphylaxis effectively. Glucocorticoids can help prevent anaphylaxis from happening again within a few hours.Your healthcare provider might also recommend allergy shots, or immunotherapy. These can make you less sensitive to some triggers. Ask your healthcare provider to help you make an anaphylaxis or emergency action plan. Your plan should include recognizing the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. Having epinephrine auto-injectors available at all times and knowing how to use them, and being transported to the nearest hospital emergency department. Talk regularly with your healthcare provider about your plan, and update it as needed, and always carry identification, or wear jewelry that lists your allergies and any medical conditions.Things to rememberAnaphylaxis is an emergency, epinephrine is given immediately to treat anaphylaxis. If you're concerned about anaphylaxis, talk with your allergist or healthcare provider. Working with your allergist or healthcare provider is the best way to get answers and come up with a treatment plan.What we have learnedMost people have anaphylaxis from their first exposure to an allergen. True or false? The answer is false. It can take time to develop an allergic reaction to a certain substance.Anaphylaxis is not a serious condition. True or false? The answer is false. Anaphylaxis can cause death if not treated.Epinephrine is the best way to quickly treat anaphylaxis symptoms. True or false? The answer is true. A dose of epinephrine in an auto-injector is given as soon as possible. If you are at risk for anaphylaxis, you need to carry two epinephrine auto-injectors with you. Always discuss your emergency plan with your allergist or healthcare provider.
Date Last Reviewed: 05/01/2021
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