Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening severe allergic reaction

Identify anaphylaxis and its causes

Your body will always be exposed to foreign substances from the surrounding environment. These foreign substances can be germs in the form of viruses and bacteria, chemical compounds, certain ingredients in food ingredients, or much more.

When exposed to foreign substances, the immune system forms antibodies to protect the body from disease or damage. This response is actually useful when a foreign substance that enters the body is indeed dangerous, say something like a virus or parasite.

However, sometimes the immune system overreacts to harmless substances such as nuts or pollen. The immune system then responds with chemicals that trigger itching, runny noses, and other conditions that are symptoms of allergies.

Some allergy sufferers also experience a more severe response. This reaction is known as anaphylaxis. When anaphylaxis occurs, the immune system releases chemicals that can affect various systems in the body.

Launching the Mayo Clinic, the most common triggers for anaphylaxis in children are nuts, seafood, and milk. Meanwhile, the most common triggers in adults are all allergens in the child, plus:

bee, wasp and fire ant stings,
antibiotics and pain relievers, as well
latex.

In certain cases, anaphylactic reactions may be mild and only trigger itching of the skin. However, these allergic complications can turn out to be deadly. Your blood pressure can drop suddenly, causing shock and loss of consciousness.

Not only that, anaphylactic reactions can also cause swelling of the respiratory tract. This inflammation of this vital system can eventually make it difficult for you to breathe, speak and swallow.

What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis?

Anaphylactic shock reactions can affect many body systems simultaneously. Here are the most common symptoms:

itchy or patchy skin,
blood pressure drops,
swollen throat, tongue, or lips,
shortness of breath, wheezing, or blocked breath,
chest pain or tightness in the chest,
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea,
heart palpitations, but the pulse is weak,
runny nose, cough, or sneezing, as well
dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis can appear suddenly and get worse very quickly. Patients should be treated immediately within 30 to 60 minutes because the reactions that occur can be fatal.

This reaction tends to be patterned. The patient may experience one or more of the following conditions.

Symptoms appear a few minutes after you touch or eat something that causes your allergies.
A number of symptoms appear simultaneously. For example, a skin rash occurs with swelling and vomiting.
The first symptom wave disappeared, but then came back 8-72 hours later.
Symptoms appear one after another within a few hours.

First aid when there is a severe allergic reaction

If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, you should consult your doctor to find out first aid for allergies.

Usually, the doctor will provide emergency allergy medicine. This emergency medicine should be taken with you wherever you go, because you may eat or catch allergies without knowing it.

One of the drugs that people with severe allergies should take is an injection of epinephrine or adrenaline. These injections work by reversing the symptoms of anaphylaxis, especially increasing blood pressure and dilating the airways.

If you or someone close to you experiences signs of anaphylaxis, seek emergency medical help immediately. While you are waiting for medical assistance, you can help by lifting the patient's leg so that the blood can flow normally.

Allergy patients who are unconscious and able to swallow can take antihistamines. However, patients with severe allergic reactions may have to use epinephrine injections.

The tool is injected through auto-injector , a needle that can provide a single dose of adrenaline in one injection. The area of the body that is usually injected is the outer thigh muscle. If symptoms do not improve, the patient may have to get another dose.

Who is most at risk?

Here are some conditions that increase your risk of developing anaphylactic shock.

Have had anaphylaxis. If you have experienced this condition, there is a possibility that you will experience it again with a more severe degree.
Have asthma or allergies. People with asthma or allergies are at higher risk of developing anaphylactic shock in the future.
Suffering from certain diseases. Diseases that are thought to be related include heart disease and mastocytosis, or an abnormal build-up of white blood cells.

How to prevent anaphylaxis

The best way to prevent anaphylaxis is to avoid everything that triggers allergies. You can find out with a simple allergy test in the form of a skin prick test (skin prick test), skin patch test (patch test), or a blood test.

Once you know what causes an allergic reaction in your body, try to consult a doctor. An allergy consultant can provide advice on avoiding the triggers around you.

You also need to tell the people closest to you that you are at risk for a severe allergic reaction. Provide guidance on what to do if you have anaphylactic shock.

This way, the people around you will be more alert and will help you avoid unexpected allergies. This is especially useful when you are traveling or eating out.

Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening. This condition can occur anywhere, so the sufferer must be vigilant. However, you can still enjoy daily activities with careful preparation.