Contents:
- Medical Video: Be Safe from Anaphylaxis-Mayo Clinic
- What are the causes of anaphylactic shock?
- What are the symptoms of anaphylactic shock?
- Symptoms of serious anaphylactic shock
- Who is most at risk of experiencing anaphylactic shock?
- First aid in anaphylactic shock
- Prevent anaphylactic shock
Medical Video: Be Safe from Anaphylaxis-Mayo Clinic
Anaphylactic, also commonly called anaphylactic shock, is an allergic reaction that affects the entire body and is considered an emergency medical condition. This potentially life-threatening reaction can occur anywhere from a few seconds to minutes after exposure to allergens. Exposure triggers a response from the immune system that can cause shock and even death if not treated immediately.
What are the causes of anaphylactic shock?
If you already have an allergic reaction, you risk experiencing anaphylactic. But not all allergic reactions will cause anaphylactic.
Allergic reactions that might put you at risk are:
- Food allergies such as milk, shellfish, soybeans, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts
- Allergy to drugs such as penicillin
- Allergy bites or insect stings
The less common causes of allergic reactions are:
- Latex allergy
- Previous anaphylactic shock
- Sports
What are the symptoms of anaphylactic shock?
Anaphylactic shock can have many symptoms. Anaphylactic reactions are different, because a number of symptoms can appear at once.
Common symptoms may include:
- itchy skin or itchy patches
- runny nose or sneezing
- itchy mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing, or swollen lips and tongue
- swollen limbs
- cough
- cramps or diarrhea
- gag
Symptoms of serious anaphylactic shock
Some anaphylactic symptoms require emergency treatment, including:
- shortness of breath or stuffy breath
- chest pain or tightness in the chest
- low blood pressure
- the pulse is weak and fast
- dizzy or fainting
- dazed
Symptoms of anaphylactic shock can worsen very quickly. Treatment is needed within 30 to 60 minutes because symptoms can sometimes be fatal.
Symptoms of anaphylactic tend to have a pattern. As an example:
- Symptoms appear a few minutes after you touch or eat or what you are allergic to.
- A number of symptoms appear at the same time. For example, rash, swelling, and vomiting.
- The first round of symptoms disappeared, but then came back eight hours until 72 hours later.
- A single reaction continues for hours.
Who is most at risk of experiencing anaphylactic shock?
There are several risk factors known to trigger anaphylactic. This condition is believed that genetics can increase a person's risk of this type of reaction. This is considered especially true for people with anaphylactic family history due to exercise.
People who suffer from allergies or asthma also have an increased risk of anaphylactic. If you have experienced anaphylactics, you are at high risk of experiencing it again.
If you have a high risk of anaphylactics, you can reduce the risk of a type of severe allergic reaction by avoiding the triggers you know. In addition it is also important that people who are at risk and their loved ones are prepared for emergency situations that might occur. Patients with severe allergies are generally advised to bring epinephrine autoinjector at any time and also ensure that both them and those close to them know how to use the autoinjector correctly. Autoinjector is a device consisting of hidden needles and syringes with one full dose of medicine. When this is injected into the outer part of the upper thigh, it can slow or stop the allergic reaction and potentially save a person's life.
First aid in anaphylactic shock
If you think you or someone you know is being hit by an anaphylactic shock, seek emergency medical attention.
Make sure the person is comfortable. Lift their legs to help blood flow. If someone stops breathing, give CPR and other first aid until help arrives.
Many people with severe allergies are equipped with auto-injector epinephrine. This can help treat symptoms of the reaction.
Epinephrine (adrenaline or) is often used to treat anaphylactics. This tool is given through an auto-injector, which contains a needle that can give one dose of adrenaline at a time. The area of the body for injection is usually the outer thigh muscle. After the injection, the symptoms should subside quickly. If not, a second injection may be needed. You still need to see a doctor for further treatment.
Prevent anaphylactic shock
The best way to stop anaphylactic is to avoid trigger allergies: food or other things that make you allergic. Your doctor can help you find out about your allergens with simple tests such as skin prick tests or blood tests.
A doctor can then give advice to avoid triggering your allergies. This method will help you avoid allergic and anaphylactic reactions.
Make an anaphylactic action plan. That means telling people in your life what to do if you suffer from anaphylactic shock. Your action plan must contain information about the symptoms of anaphylactics and provide advice on what to do in an emergency.
