Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis :

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is potentially life threatening. It must be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment and urgent medical attention. Anaphylaxis is a generalised allergic reaction, which often involves more than one body system. A severe allergic reaction usually occurs within 20 minutes of exposure to the trigger.It is characterised by rapidly developing airway and / or breathing and / or circulation problems usually associated with skin and mucosal changes.

Causes :

• Food like nuts, milk, eggs, fish

• Insect sting

• Latex

• Vaccines

• Medications like antibiotics, anesthetics

• Some tropical insects, plants, animals

• Unknown causes

What happens?

• On first exposure-allergen specific antibody, Ig-E, produced

• On re-exposure, Ig-E triggers immune response

• This immune response is anaphylaxis

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Signs & Symptoms :

  • Skin reactions including hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin
  • Swelling of the face, eyes, lips or throat
  • Constriction of the airways, leading to wheezing and trouble breathing
  • A weak and rapid pulse
  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
  • Dizziness, fainting or unconsciousness

  
  

  Who is at risk?

  • Those with history of food allergy

  • Those with family history of allergies

  • Those who have experienced prior attack

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Treatment :

  If you're with someone having an allergic reaction with signs of anaphylaxis:

  1. Immediately call local medical emergency number.
  2. Ask the person if he or she is carrying an epinephrine autoinjector to treat an allergic attack (for example, EpiPen, Twinject).
  3. If the person says he or she needs to use an autoinjector, ask whether you should help inject the medication. This is usually done by pressing the autoinjector against the person's thigh.
  4. Have the person lie still on his or her back.
  5. Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Don't give the person anything to drink.
  6. If there's vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking.
  7. If there are no signs of breathing, coughing or movement, begin CPR. Do uninterrupted chest presses of about two a second until paramedics arrive.
  8. Get emergency treatment even if symptoms start to improve. After anaphylaxis, it's possible for symptoms to recur. Monitoring in a hospital setting for several hours is usually necessary.

  If you're with someone having signs of anaphylaxis, don't wait to see whether symptoms get better. Seek emergency treatment right away. In severe cases, untreated anaphylaxis can lead to death within half an hour. An antihistamine pill, such as diphenhydramine, isn't sufficient to treat anaphylaxis. These medications can help relieve allergy symptoms, but work too slowly in a severe reaction to help.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Prevention :

  • Avoid allergens as far as possible

  • Those at risk should carry adrenalin auto-injector

  • Inform school authorities, if children at risk

  • Children should wear food allergy badges

  • Emergency protocols necessary in schools/ work place

  • Educating the public is vital.