Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis, also known as anaphylactic shock or anaphylactoid reaction, is an allergic reaction to an allergen that causes systemic symptoms, including hives and swelling around the mouth and throat, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis may be caused by stinging insects, medication reactions, food reactions, or unknown causes. The reaction may occur within minutes of subjection to the allergen or hours later. It can be treated with epinephrine in emergencies or with medications such as H1 and H2 blockers. This condition is life-threatening, so it’s essential to know the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis to treat it immediately and save someone’s life.

Symptoms

Anaphylaxis symptoms vary from person to person. There are two components of anaphylaxis: acute onset (which occurs in seconds or minutes after exposure to an allergen) and delayed onset (which develops a few hours after exposure). Some signs of acute onset include anxiety, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, swelling in the face or mouth (or both), itching or hives on the skin that don’t go away, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms of delayed onset include feeling weak or tired, difficulty swallowing, wheezing, nausea, and vomiting. However, general symptoms include:

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Cardiac arrest

In some cases, anaphylaxis can be fatal if not treated quickly enough.

Diagnosis

You should be diagnosed with anaphylaxis by a medical doctor or allergist. Your doctor may recommend blood work, such as a CBC (complete blood count), to check for low levels of white blood cells that could point toward anaphylaxis. They might also perform additional testing based on what triggered your reaction (e.g., eating peanuts).

Treatment

Anaphylaxis is an acute and sometimes life-threatening reaction caused by the body’s immune system. Because of that, treatment for anaphylaxis is mainly about controlling symptoms and preventing further reactions or attacks. Medications like antihistamines and epinephrine reduce anaphylaxis’s effects immediately, while other preventative treatments can help avoid future attacks.
Antihistamines: Antihistamines may be used with other treatments (like epinephrine) to ease breathing problems and soothe skin itching from hives. They also work to block histamine, which causes many of anaphylaxis’s side effects.

Standard over-the-counter options: Include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and desloratadine (Clarinex). Please talk with your doctor before using these medications on children under 12 years old; they could have dangerous side effects.

Epinephrine: Epinephrine is one of two FDA-approved treatments for anaphylaxis, and it works quickly to stop symptoms from worsening. It’s typically injected into muscle tissue via a syringe.

Management and prevention tips for anaphylaxis include taking prescribed antihistamines and avoiding known triggers. If you experience anaphylaxis, seek immediate medical attention.

How Can We Help?

Our trusted providers at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology can help with your anaphylaxis management needs. Our doctors will listen to your concerns, run a diagnosis of your condition, and treat you with an appropriate mix of medications and lifestyle changes to manage it. If you have questions about our services or want to schedule an appointment, contact us today.