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ANAPHYLAXIS

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--

    If you have an allergic history:

  • Tell your doctor before accepting any medication. Before you are given a shot, ask what it is.
  • Keep an anaphylaxis kit, such as Ana-Kit, with you at all times. Be sure your family knows how to use the kit if you have a reaction.
  • Always remain in your doctor's office 15 minutes after receiving any injection. Report any symptoms immediately.
  • Protect yourself from insect stings.
  • People with previous severe reaction to insect stings should consider immunization (allergy shots) as a preventive measure.

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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