Key points to remember Allergic reactions are common in children. Most reactions are mild. A severe allergic reaction (i.e. anaphylaxis) involves a person's breathing and/or circulation. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of an allergic reaction and is life threatening.
Skin reactions, including hives and itching and flushed or pale skin. Low blood pressure (hypotension) Constriction of the airways and a swollen tongue or throat, which can cause wheezing and trouble breathing. A weak and rapid pulse.
Unlike IgE mediated food allergy non IgE food allergies are very rarely life threatening because they do not result in anaphylaxis. What are the common symptoms of non IgE mediated food allergy? Common symptoms include abdominal discomfort, vomiting and diarrhoea.
In most cases, people with allergies develop mild to moderate symptoms, such as watery eyes, a runny nose or a rash. But sometimes, exposure to an allergen can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis . This severe reaction happens when an over-release of chemicals puts the person into shock.
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.
Antihistamines DO NOT stop the progression of an anaphylaxis. Antihistamines only help to decrease itching and reduce mild/moderate swelling of the face, lips and eyes.
“When there is swelling around the lips or back of the throat, that's when we get concerned,” Dr. Larson says. “That could compromise someone's ability to breathe.” Throat swelling or closure is a sign of anaphylaxis, the most severe type of allergic reaction that, without treatment, can lead to death.
About anaphylaxis
itchy skin or a raised, red skin rash. swollen eyes, lips, hands and feet. feeling lightheaded or faint. swelling of the mouth, throat or tongue, which can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties.
(See "Anaphylaxis in infants" and "Anaphylaxis in pregnant women" and "Anaphylaxis: Emergency treatment".) Common disorders that mimic anaphylaxis include acute generalized urticaria, acute angioedema, acute asthma exacerbations, syncope (faint), and panic attacks or acute anxiety (table 3).
Anaphylactic reactions can vary greatly from person to person, or from one reaction to the next. The symptoms may get worse within only a few minutes. They then often stay at the same level of severity for a while and then go away again on their own.
Anaphylaxis is a serious, rapid-onset, allergic reaction that may cause death. Severe anaphylaxis is characterized by life-threatening upper airway obstruction, bronchospasm and/or hypotension.
Mild to moderate allergic reaction
Swelling of lips, face & eyes. Hives or welts. Tingling mouth. Abdominal pain, vomiting (these are signs of anaphylaxis for insect allergy)
Allergic reactions are common in children. Most reactions are mild. A severe allergic reaction (i.e. anaphylaxis) involves a person's breathing and/or circulation. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of an allergic reaction and is life threatening.
If you're with someone having an allergic reaction with signs of anaphylaxis: Immediately call 911 or your local medical emergency number.
The treatment for this allergic reaction is a dose of epinephrine, which is a drug that causes the constriction of the blood vessels. This raises the blood pressure. Some patients that have experienced anaphylaxis before will have an Epi-Pen, which is a syringe with a dose of epinephrine with them.
Experiencing anaphylaxis can sometimes result in longer-term increased anxiety, or lead to post-traumatic stress. It may cause a feeling of “not knowing what is safe anymore”. This can result in avoidance of food or situations that everyone knows is safe but cause too much anxiety.
Allergic reaction
It can cause your throat to tighten up suddenly. You may feel like it's very hard to swallow. It can happen minutes or hours after your exposure.
Epinephrine — Epinephrine is the first and most important treatment for anaphylaxis, and it should be administered as soon as anaphylaxis is recognized to prevent the progression to life-threatening symptoms as described in the rapid overviews of the emergency management of anaphylaxis in adults (table 1) and children ...
Some signs of anaphylaxis are obvious, such as swelling of the lips and throat. But others might be easier to miss, though the subtle symptoms tend to be less common. Knowing these signs--and noticing them--could save your life.