Allergy is the body’s condition which occurs when an individual’s immune system reacts to a foreign substance like food, pet dander, pollen, and bee venom. There are millions of people across the globe that experiences allergies in different ways since not everyone has the same allergy as the other does.
Now, allergic reactions range from mild to severe, in which the severity of an allergic reaction is called Anaphylaxis. In this article, we will be discussing all the essential information that you should have in regards to Anaphylaxis and its treatment.
Anaphylaxis Overview
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to a particular substance in which an individual is allergic to. This reaction can happen within seconds or minutes after the exposure of an individual one is allergic to, such as peanuts or pollen.
This condition causes your immune system to release a flood of chemicals that would cause you to go into shock, in which your blood pressure drops suddenly and make your airways narrow, blocking one’s breathing. The signs and symptoms include a rapid yet weak pulse, a skin rash, and vomiting or nausea.
The common triggers include certain foods such as seafood and peanuts, some medications like aspirin, insect venom, and latex.
Risk Factors
Knowing the risk factors for Anaphylaxis makes you prepared and well-informed, which is the key to the prevention of Anaphylaxis. Although there aren’t many known risk factors for Anaphylaxis, it is just like the same with any other sickness that has elements that will increase your risk, which includes the following:
Previous Anaphylaxis. If you have had your Anaphylaxis once, then your risk for having it again increases significantly. Be wary after having your first encounter with Anaphylaxis since the future allergic reactions might be more severe than the first reaction that you had.
Allergies/ Asthma. Individuals that have either of these conditions are at increased risk of developing Anaphylaxis since both share the same symptoms and might trigger the other condition, vice versa.
Other Conditions. Other certain health conditions may also trigger Anaphylaxis, such as heart diseases, an abnormal accumulation of a specific type of white blood cell or also known as mastocytosis.
Prevention for Anaphylaxis
As what the old saying goes, “prevention is better than cure” discussed below are the tips for preventing the development of Anaphylaxis, especially to those who have already experienced the condition once.
Now, the best way to prevent it is to avoid the substances that cause this severe reaction. However, it also includes the following:
Wear a Medical Alert (Bracelet or Necklace). These medical alert items will help you or other people indicate that you have an allergy to a specific substance like food or other specific drugs.
Keep an Emergency Kit. Prepare your emergency kit at all times, and make your prescribed medications available. You can ask your doctor for advice on its content so that you are sure of what you need to have. If you have an epinephrine autoinjector, then just check the expiration date and be sure to refill the prescriptions.
Alert Your Doctor. Medication allergic reactions are common, so you should alert all your doctors of the medication reactions that you’ve had.
Treatment
During an attack, you might receive CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation to help you breathe if you stop breathing or your heart has stopped beating. Additionally, you might also be given medications such as auvi-q which can be bought with an auvi-q discount coupon that is epinephrine that reduces your body’s allergic response.
Additionally, you will be given oxygen to help you breath; IV or intravenous antihistamines and cortisone to help reduce the inflammation of the air passages and improve your breathing, and a beta-agonist such as albuterol to help relieve breathing symptoms.
What to do in Case of Emergency
If you are present when someone is having an allergic reaction and is showing signs of shock, then you should act fast. What you need to look for are signs of pale, cool, and clammy skin; a weak yet rapid pulse; difficulty in breathing; confusion; and loss of consciousness. If any were shown then do the following immediately:
- Call immediate emergency medical help or 911
- If available, use an epinephrine autoinjector by pressing it into the individual’s thigh
- Make sure the individual is lying down with his or her legs elevated
- Check the individual’s pulse and breathing, then administer CPR or other first-aid measures if necessary.
Takeaway
Anaphylaxis is a no joke condition and should be treated seriously even if it starts as an allergic reaction to a particular substance. As much as possible, if you know that you are allergic to a specific element such as pollens, then might as well avoid it as much as possible to prevent further complications.
