Anaphylaxis is treated with

Epinephrine can reverse the symptoms within minutes. If this doesn't happen, you may need a second shot within half an hour. These shots, which you need a prescription to get, come pre-filled and in ready-to-use pens. You shouldn’t take an Anaphylaxis is rare, and most people recover from it. But it's important to tell your doctor about any If you've had an anaphylactic reaction before, you have a higher risk of having another one. You also have a higher risk if you have a family history of anaphylaxis or have asthma. Symptoms The first signs of an anaphylactic reaction may look like typical There is usually more than one of these: • • • • Runny or stuffy nose and • Shortness of breath or • Swollen or itchy lips or • Swollen or itchy throat, hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, tightness in your throat • • Weak pulse, paleness Some people also remember feeling a "sense of doom” right before the attack. Symptoms can move to shock and loss of consciousness. As many as 1 out of every 5 people may have a second anaphylactic reaction within 12 hours of the first. This is called a biphasic anaphylaxis. Treatment Epinephrine is the most effective treatment for anaphylaxis, and the shot should be given right away (usually in the thigh). If you’ve had an anaphylaxis reaction before, you should carry at least two doses of epinephrine with you at all times. Epinephrine expires after about a year, so make sure your prescription is up to date. If you have an anaphylactic reaction and the ...

What are allergic reactions and anaphylaxis? An allergic reaction is when the body responds to something that it sees as a threat, even though it isn’t. These triggers are also called allergens. Some examples of allergens are foods, medications, dust, or pollen. A mild reaction may cause minor symptoms, like sneezing or itchy eyes. However, some allergic reactions can be severe. This is called anaphylaxis, and it can be life-threatening. During anaphylaxis, a person may have difficulty breathing, have a rapid heart rate, an itchy rash (hives), and/or swelling of their lips, tongue, or throat. They may wheeze, cough, vomit, be lightheaded, or faint. If having symptoms of anaphylaxis, seek help immediately—epinephrine is the best way to halt the reaction. If you have a history of anaphylaxis and have been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen), use it, and then call 911. Most common symptoms Mild allergic reactions are often caused by allergens in the environment, like pollen, dust, mold, or animal hair and dander. They tend to affect the eyes, nose, and sometimes the lungs, especially if you also have asthma. They rarely cause severe reactions like anaphylaxis. Main allergy symptoms • Sneezing • Runny nose • Nasal stuffiness • Itchy, watery eyes Anaphylaxis is often caused by foods, medications, latex, or insect stings. The first sign of a reaction might seem minor—you might develop hives or some mild lip swelling. But symptoms can then progress and start to...

Share this page: • • • • • Many people may not realize they have an allergy until they experience anaphylaxis. An allergist can examine you and make a proper diagnosis. If warranted, your doctor will prescribe injectable epinephrine to use in an emergency. Anaphylaxis is triggered when the immune system overreacts to a usually harmless substance (an allergen such as peanut or penicillin) causing mild to severe symptoms that affect various parts of the body. Symptoms usually appear within minutes to a few hours after eating a food, swallowing medication or being stung by an insect. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical treatment, including an injection of epinephrine and a trip to a hospital emergency room. If it isn’t treated properly, anaphylaxis can be fatal. Sometimes symptoms go away, and then return a few hours later, so it is important to take these steps as soon as an anaphylactic reaction begins and to remain under medical observation for as long as the reaction and symptoms continue. Symptoms of Anaphylaxis Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include: • Breathing: wheezing, shortness of breath, throat tightness, cough, hoarse voice, chest pain/tightness, trouble swallowing, itchy mouth/throat, nasal stuffiness/congestion • Circulation: pale/blue color, low pulse, dizziness, lightheadedness/passing out, low blood pressure, shock, loss of consciousness • Skin: hives, swelling, itch, warmth, redness, rash • Stomach: nausea, pain/cramps, vomiting, diarrhea • Other: anxiety, ...

There are few things more frightening than having or witnessing an anaphylactic reaction. The • trouble breathing • • swelling of the face • vomiting • fast heartbeat • fainting If you witness someone having anaphylactic symptoms, or you’re having symptoms yourself, call emergency services immediately. If you’ve had a severe allergic reaction in the past, your doctor may have prescribed an emergency epinephrine injection. Getting a shot of emergency epinephrine as quickly as possible can save your life — but what happens after the epinephrine? Ideally, your symptoms will begin to improve. Sometimes they can even resolve completely. This may lead you to believe that you’re no longer in any danger. However, this isn’t the case. A trip to the emergency room (ER) is still required, no matter how well you feel after your Epinephrine usually relieves the most dangerous symptoms of anaphylaxis quickly — including It’s the treatment of choice for anyone experiencing anaphylaxis. But you need to administer epinephrine in the first few minutes after the allergic reaction starts for it to be most effective. Keep in mind that you should only give epinephrine to a person who’s been prescribed the medication. You should also follow the instructions carefully. Dosages vary, and individual medical conditions can affect how a person reacts to it. For example, epinephrine could cause a Give an epinephrine injection if someone has been exposed to an allergic trigger and: • has trouble breath...

Anaphylaxis • • • • • • What is Anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis is a severe, sometimes life-threatening, allergic reaction that occurs within minutes to several hours of exposure an allergy-causing substance (allergen). Anaphylaxis also is called anaphylactic shock. In an allergic reaction, the body's immune system responds to the presence of an allergen by releasing histamine and other body chemicals. These chemicals cause the symptoms of allergies, which are usually mild but annoying, such as the runny nose of hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or the itchy rash of poison ivy. However, in some cases, the symptoms can be much worse and involve the entire body. Anaphylaxis is the most severe allergic reaction. In anaphylaxis, these immune chemicals cause serious skin symptoms, such as hives and swelling, as well as severe breathing problems, such as swelling in the throat, narrowing of the lower airways and wheezing). The chemicals also cause blood vessels to widen dramatically, which leads to a rapid, severe drop in blood pressure (shock). Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening medical emergency. Although the specific allergen that triggers anaphylaxis may be different for each patient, it often can be traced to one of the following sources: • Foods— Especially eggs, seafood, tree nuts, grains, milk and peanuts • Drugs— Especially an antibiotic from the penicillin or cephalosporin group, a "sulfa" antibiotic, or • Insect stings— From bees, yellow jackets, paper wasps, hornets or fire ants...

Call 911 for an immediate medical response. If you have an epinephrine injector, you need to use it at the first sign of symptoms, before they become severe. Seconds can count in saving a life during anaphylaxis. If you are assisting the person having the reaction, ask for their epinephrine autoinjector. There are two common types of autoinjectors—the EpiPen and the Auvi-Q. If you do not have an injector, the emergency responders may be able to administer epinephrine. To use an EpiPen on a person who is incapacitated, follow these steps. • Care must be taken not to hold it backward, which is a common mistake. Otherwise, you will end up injecting it into your own thumb instead of the person's thigh. • Pull the blue safety cap off the back of the device. • Press the orange end firmly into the person's outer thigh and hold it for at least 3 seconds. It's better to administer it directly to the skin, but you can inject it through clothing if necessary. • Built-in needle protection automatically covers the needle after injection so it is never exposed and can be easily disposed of after use. An • Have the person lie down and elevate the legs. This helps maintain blood flow to the heart during anaphylactic shock. • The person may want to remain sitting up if they are having trouble breathing or vomiting. Allow them to be in a position that is comfortable for them, with legs elevated if possible. • A companion should monitor the person's pulse and breathing and administer CPR if ...

Anaphylaxis is when you get severe allergic reactions. Examples include reactions to certain foods or particular insect stings. Going into anaphylactic shock can be life-threatening. If you notice symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as having trouble breathing, use an epinephrine injector. This anaphylaxis treatment can save your life. Overview What is anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis (an-ah-fi-LAK-sis) is a severe allergic reaction. It can be life-threatening if you don’t get treatment right away. Food allergies are one of the main causes of anaphylaxis. What is an allergic reaction? When you are But in some people, the reaction is more severe, resulting in anaphylaxis. Symptoms include swelling, wheezing, shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing. An anaphylactic reaction affects several areas of the body at once. What is anaphylactic shock? A person who has an anaphylactic reaction can go into anaphylactic shock. Blood pressure drops severely. The bronchial tissues, which help carry air, swell. These reactions cause wheezing, shortness of breath and even loss of consciousness. Anaphylactic shock requires immediate treatment to save the person’s life. How common is anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis is common in the United States. Existing data show it occurs in about one in 50 people. But many researchers believe the rate is even higher, possibly closer to one in 20 people. Symptoms and Causes What causes anaphylaxis? • • Eggs. • Peanuts. • • • Tree nuts (such as walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil...