General Information
DEFINITION--A life-threatening allergic response to medications and many other
allergy-causing substances. Reactions that occur quickly tend to be the most severe.
BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Blood vessels throughout the body; heart; lungs; skin.
SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--
Any of the following may occur within seconds or a few minutes after exposure to a
substance to which you are very allergic:
- Tingling or numbness around the mouth.
- Sneezing, coughing or wheezing.
- Swelling around face or hands.
- Itching all over, often accompanied by hives.
- Watery eyes.
- Feeling of anxiety.
- Tightness in the chest; difficulty breathing.
- Swelling or itching in the mouth or throat.
- Pounding heart, faintness, weak, rapid pulse.
- Loss of consciousness. Not all symptoms occur. Seek immediate help for any.
CAUSES--
Eating or receiving injections of something to which you are sensitive. The allergic
response to neutralize or get rid of the material results in a life-threatening
overreaction. Things which cause reactions most often include:
- Medication of all types, especially penicillins. Injections are riskier than oral drugs.
- Stings or bites from insects, such as bees, biting ants and some spiders.
- Injected chemicals used in some types of x-ray studies.
- Foods, especially eggs, beans, seafood, fruit.
- Vaccines; pollen.
RISK INCREASES WITH
- A previous mild allergic response to things listed above.
- History of eczema, hay fever or asthma.
HOW TO PREVENT--
What To Expect
DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES---Laboratory skin tests to determine sensitivities.
APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE--Doctor's treatment. Long-term treatment involves
desensitization therapy.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Without prompt treatment, anaphylaxis causes shock,
cardiac arrest and death.
PROBABLE OUTCOME--Full recovery with prompt treatment.
How To Treat
GENERAL MEASURES--
- If you observe signs of anaphylaxis in someone and he or she stops breathing: Call or
have someone call 911 (emergency) or call 0 (operator) for an ambulance or medical help.
(If the victim is a child, perform lifesaving measures for 1 minute before calling for
emergency help.) Begin mouth-to-mouth breathing immediately. If there is no heartbeat,
give external cardiac massage. Don't stop CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until help
arrives.
- Be alert to the possibility of a reaction when taking any medicine and be prepared to
respond quickly if symptoms occur. If you have had a previous severe allergic reaction,
always carry your anaphylaxis kit.
- Wear a Medic-Alert tag (See Glossary) that indicates
your allergic condition.
MEDICATION--
- Adrenalin by injection is the only effective immediate treatment.
- Aminophylline, cortisone drugs or antihistamines, given after the adrenalin, help
prevent the return of acute symptoms.
ACTIVITY--Resume your normal activities as soon as symptoms improve after an
attack. Stay under someone's observation for 24 hours in case symptoms recur.
DIET--Avoid foods to which you are allergic.
Call Your Doctor If
- You have symptoms of anaphylaxis. This is an emergency!
- New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
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