Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction Anaphylaxis develops within seconds or minutes after exposure to an allergen such as peanuts or a bee sting.
During anaphylaxis, the set of chemicals released can cause shock Blood pressure drops quickly, airways narrow, so breathing becomes difficult Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include a fast, weak pulse, skin rash, nausea, and vomiting The causes of anaphylaxis are often allergic foods, medications, bites, or contact with latex
In case of anaphylaxis, the patient should be immediately transferred to an emergency center and rapid administration of epinephrine should be performed. In the case of delayed treatment of anaphylaxis, loss of consciousness and even death are possible complications
The immune system produces antibodies that protect the body from foreign substances This process is useful when the substance/organism is truly dangerous (bacteria, viruses), although some people's immune systems react to harmless substances, causing an allergic reaction. When such a process develops, the immune system starts a chemical chain reaction that manifests itself in allergy symptoms. In general, allergy symptoms are not life-threatening, but some people develop a severe allergic reaction in the form of anaphylaxis. If you or your child have ever had symptoms of anaphylaxis, you may have a more severe attack in the future
Anaphylaxis is caused by different types of allergens Common triggers of anaphylaxis are:
- Medications, especially penicillin
- Foods: peanuts, walnuts, almonds, wheat (in children), fish, seafood, milk and eggs
- Insect stings: bees, wasps, a.
Relatively rare causes of anaphylaxis are: - Latex
- Anesthetics
- Exercise
- Anaphylaxis symptoms are sometimes exacerbated by aspirin and similar medications (ibuprofen, This type of anaphylaxis is not caused by the antibodies characteristic of allergies, but it is symptomatically similar to allergies.
- Exercise-induced anaphylaxis is rare and varies from patient to patient Some patients have an attack during aerobic exercise (jogging, running), others even during less intense activity (walking). Eating certain foods before exercise or exercising in hot, cold or humid weather has also been linked to anaphylaxis in specific patients Talk to your doctor about what you can do to prevent this problem
- If you do not know exactly what triggers an allergic attack, your doctor will prescribe tests to identify this allergen. Sometimes, the cause of anaphylaxis is not identified This condition is called idiopathic anaphylaxis
Symptoms of anaphylaxis develop within a few minutes However, sometimes anaphylaxis may start after half an hour or more Symptoms include:
- Skin reactions, rash, redness or paleness
- Feeling warm
- Feeling of a lump in the throat
- Narrowing of the airway, tongue or throat sticking, causing wheezing and difficulty breathing
If the patient improves, still take him to the emergency room to prevent symptoms from developing again - Make an appointment with your doctor if you or your child has an allergy attack or has ever had any of the symptoms of anaphylaxis.
- Anaphylaxis is difficult to diagnose and treat long-term, so you may need to see an allergist or immunologist.
