Anaphylaxis

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Anaphylaxis is usually resulted by a reaction to one of the following:

• Food
• Insect venom
• Medication/ drugs
• Latex 
• vaccines (very rarely), including anaphylaxis to COVID-19 vaccines

Symptoms might differ every time a person experiences anaphylaxis and might vary in severity each time. Once symptoms start, they most of the time progress quickly.  Symptoms typically involve more than 1 organ system of the body and may include:  

• Skin: itching, redness, swelling, urticaria.
• Mouth: itching, swelling of lips, tongue.
• Stomach: vomiting, loose motion, cramps.
• Respiratory: shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest pain, and tightness
• Heart: weak pulse, dizziness, faintness Headache, sweating
• Confusion, feeling of impending doom Loss of consciousness

Common starting symptoms are:   

• Sneezing and itchy, blocked or runny/ watery nose(allergic rhinitis)
• Itching around the nose, mouth, eyes or roof of mouth 
• swelling around face, swollen lips, tongue (angioedema) 
• Itching skin whole body
• Skin rashes (allergic contact dermatitis, eczema) 
• Hives
• Cough, mostly dry in nature
• Wheezing.

Anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock are words that are usually used for the same thing. A decrease in blood pressure and narrowing down of the airways in response to the exposure to any allergen can officially be called anaphylactic shock, while most individuals refer to it as anaphylaxis. It is treated with epinephrine first, epinephrine fast. For detail reading click here 

Researchers believe that it occurs in about 1 in 50 people and some believe the rate is even higher. For detail read click here  

The first line of management for anaphylaxis is epinephrine. It’s the ONLY medication proven to stop a life-threatening allergic reaction. Epinephrine requires to be given as soon as anaphylaxis symptoms appear.  One can use an Allergy alert EpiPen

Individuals at risk for anaphylaxis should carry two epinephrine auto-injectors at all possible timesis . The epinephrine auto-injector is required to be used at the first sign of anaphylaxis symptom and seek follow-up medical care right away. 30 % of people need a second dose of epinephrine inorder to relieve their symptoms.  

A very helpful tool when it comes to managing and treating anaphylaxis, especially in children, is an Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan. It's a plan that includes information about a child’s allergy, asthma, and provides an detail outline of symptoms to watch out for and how to give epinephrine.

Epinephrine is a form of adrenaline, a hormone that naturally occurs in the body. It's also used as a life-saving medicine to treat anaphylaxis. Epinephrine is to be given using an auto-injector or injection into the muscle in the outer thigh.  

Whenever epinephrine is given by injection, it increases your heart rate and blood pressure and also relaxes the muscles in the airways. It decreases swelling and suppresses the body’s immune system’s hyper response to allergens. Epinephrine reverses the manifestation of anaphylactic shock and in the short term halts the allergic reaction.