Recognizing and Treating Anaphylaxis
Those who live free from allergies may not understand or recognize anaphylaxis, but individuals and families who have come face-to-face with the dangers of severe allergies understand that anaphylaxis must be meticulously prevented and immediately handled. By recognizing and treating anaphylaxis with an experienced and familiar touch, you can even save a life.
What Is Anaphylaxis?
This is a severe allergic response that is unique from all other allergic reactions. Instead of simply affecting one body system or resulting in non-life-threatening symptoms, it influences more than one body system and can be fatal if not treated immediately.
There is no one specific trigger for anaphylaxis; it can occur in anyone who has a significant allergy to an allergen. Some people are at risk of it from a bee sting or latex, others from medications or foods. This is why it is so essential that all children and adults undergo allergy testing to understand the dangers around them!
What Are the Symptoms?
Anaphylaxis takes place quickly, usually within minutes of coming into contact with an allergen, though in rare cases it can take more than an hour to manifest itself. The most common symptoms of anaphylaxis include red, itchy welts and hives, swelling in the throat, wheezing, chest tightness, trouble swallowing, stomach cramping, and vomiting.
How Should Anaphylaxis Be Treated?
There are two crucial steps to treating. The first is to administer epinephrine, a drug that can stop severe allergic reactions, preserve a person’s ability to breathe, and even save lives. Epinephrine is commonly known as an EPI Pen and can always be found with school nurses and emergency personnel. People who have known severe allergies should always carry epinephrine with them. Immediately following the epinephrine, call 911 and begin moving to the nearest emergency facility for professional medical help.
To make sure that you understand your own allergy risks and reduce your chances of coming into contact with an allergen that could set off an anaphylactic reaction, call (727) 800-4897 to make an appointment at Kratz Allergy & Asthma in Port Richey or Odessa, Florida. Kratz Allergy & Asthma specializes in adult and pediatric allergy and immunology, so you can receive the evaluations and treatments you need to stay safe and healthy in a world full of allergy triggers.