Anaphylaxis

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs following exposure to certain substances. Typically, the immune system recognizes and reacts to dangerous foreign materials, such as viruses and bacteria. However, with allergies, your immune system labels something benign as 'dangerous' and reacts to it. In anaphylaxis, this reaction is severe, involving the whole body, and is ultimately life-threatening if not treated quickly.

It is important to be able to identify the symptoms of anaphylaxis, as it happens quickly: within 5 to 30 minutes after exposure to the allergen.

• Throat/mouth swelling (difficulty swallowing)
• Difficulty breathing
• Feeling of “tight chest”
• Feeling dizzy/faint (sometimes fainting)
• Wheezing/coughing
• Cold and/or bluish skin (especially lips/tongue)
• Weak/slow pulse
• Anxiety
• Nausea/vomiting

Causes

The causes of anaphylaxis are different for each individual, though there are some usual suspects. Common causes of anaphylaxis include:

• Insect bites/stings
• Foods (peanuts, shellfish)
• Medications (penicillin)

After encountering anaphylaxis due to allergen exposure, it's highly probable that future exposures to the same allergen could trigger anaphylaxis again. It's essential for you to avoid the allergen when possible and carry emergency treatment with you at all times.

Treatment

Once you have experienced anaphylaxis, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe you epinephrine, likely in the form of an EpiPen.

In the case you experience anaphylaxis, there are several essential steps, including:

1. Call 911

   Call 911 or go to your nearby emergency department in order to receive proper supportive care following self-administration of epinephrine.

2. Lay down with your legs raised
3. Administer your epinephrine auto-injector

   Administer your epinephrine auto-injector to your outer thigh.

   An EpiPen is a portable device that can quickly administer the medication, epinephrine, in the event of anaphylaxis. Epinephrine works for anaphylaxis by constricting the blood vessels to reduce swelling and increase the blood pressure in order to reverse some symptoms of anaphylaxis.

4. If five minutes pass and your symptoms have not improved, administer a second epinephrine auto-injector