What is Anaphylaxis?
- Severe, life- threatening allergic reaction
- Occurs as a reaction to an allergen
- Anaphylaxis releases various chemicals in body
- Reactions occur in secs / mins of exposure
- Occurs in 30 per 100,000 individuals per year
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
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Symptoms
- Tingling / warm sensation
- Itchiness / Rash
- Swelling of areas around mouth / throat
- Restricted air-ways
- Reduced oxygen level in brain
- Signs of asthma
- Vomiting
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fluid-filled lungs
- Low blood pressure
- Palpitations / feeling faint
- Loss of consciousness
Who is at risk?
- Those with history of food allergy
- Those with family history of allergies
- Those who have experienced prior attack
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Treatment
- If nauseated, lie down on the side
- If feeling faint, lie down, legs raised
- In case of breathing difficulty, sit up
- First time patients should be hospital treated
- Epinephrine injections – effective treatment
- Continuous monitoring mandatory
- Severity/ response / prior episodes determine treatment
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
