As anyone who has ever had the misfortune of suffering from anaphylaxis knows only too well, symptoms can come on extremely quickly, causing much panic in the sufferer, as well as those close to them. Anaphylaxis is also known as anaphylactic shock, and it may prove fatal if the correct treatment is not administered immediately.
What Triggers Anaphylaxis?
As identified by Goldman (2009) in Allergies: A Parent's Guide, anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, which may be triggered not only by food, but also by non-food substances. Example of common food triggers associated with anaphylaxis include the following: peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, eggs and dairy products. There are three primary non-food triggers of anaphylactic shock, which include: bee or wasp stings, latex and the commonly prescribed antibiotic, penicillin. These key triggers associated with anaphylaxis are known as allergens and each individual will differ in terms of his or her susceptibility to various allergens.
It is also possible, that an individual who has previously been fine with taking the antibiotic penicillin may at a later stage go on to develop a severe reaction to the medication. Children most at risk of anaphylaxis are those who have previously suffered a bad allergic reaction. In addition, children who reacted very badly to a tiny amount of allergen in the past may suffer anaphylaxis if exposed to a larger amount.
What are Anaphylaxis Symptoms?
Due to the fact that untreated anaphylaxis can prove fatal, it is absolutely crucial for parents to be aware of symptoms. Key anaphylaxis symptoms may include difficulty breathing, inability to swallow properly, sudden weakness, swelling in the throat/mouth, asthma or unconsciousness. As recognised by Jones (2004) in Travel Health, these anaphylaxis symptoms are brought on by the body reacting extremely strongly to an allergen, that makes the airways swell and even causes them to become blocked. Further symptoms of anaphylactic shock include the lips becoming tinged with blue, vomiting, severe nausea and diarrhoea.
During anaphylaxis, the individual's pulse rate will typically begin to become very rapid, while blood pressure suddenly plummets. As a result of this sudden crash in blood pressure, it is common for the sufferer to feel very dizzy and faint.
How is Anaphylaxis Treated?
The most important thing one should do upon suspecting a friend or family member is suffering anaphylaxis is to remove any obvious cause and call for help. Next, lay the person down so that the head becomes lower than the rest of the body, as this will help maintain essential blood flow to the brain. After laying them down, make sure that the airway is clear, then check to see if they are carrying injectable adrenaline. If the individual is found to be carrying adrenaline, then it is vital to administer the adrenaline immediately.
In the worst case scenario, if the sufferer has stopped breathing, start CPR and keep going until the paramedics or a doctor arrives on the scene. If other help is available, get one person to do the compressions following a pattern of 15 compressions, then two breaths of mouth-to-mouth.
As highlighted above, anaphylaxis is a severe reaction to an allergen such as peanuts, seafood, bee stings or natural latex, which causes serious symptoms, including rapid pulse, plummeting blood pressure, face swelling, blocked airways and unconsciousness. Treatment for anaphylaxis, involves removing any cause, checking the airways are clear and administering injectable adrenaline. If anaphylaxis has resulted in the individual to stop breathing, start to perform CPR until help arrives.
Sources:
Goldman, V. (2009) Allergies: A Parent's Guide Peterborough: Need 2 Know
Jones, N. (2004) Travel Health London: Rough Guides
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
Join the Conversation