Signs and symptoms include: 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.
An allergic reaction is considered a medical emergency when symptoms become more serious, like difficulty breathing or fainting. Also, if several body parts and systems are involved, like vomiting and having a combination of rashes, you need to visit an ER for allergies.
Signs of a mild to moderate allergic reaction include: swelling of lips, face, eyes. hives or welts appearing on the skin. tingling mouth.
The early symptoms may be mild, such as a runny nose, a skin rash or a “strange feeling.” These symptoms can quickly lead to more serious problems, including: Trouble breathing. Hives or swelling. Tightness of the throat.
Onset of anaphylaxis to stings or allergen injections is usually rapid: 70% begin in < 20 minutes and 90% in < 40 minutes. Food/ingestant anaphylaxis may have slower onset or slow progression. Rapid onset is associated with greater severity.
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.
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)
Many allergic reactions are mild, while others can be severe and life threatening. They can be confined to a small area of the body, or they may affect the entire body. The most severe form is called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. Allergic reactions occur more often in people who have a family history of allergies.
Signs and symptoms
a red, itchy rash, or raised area of skin (weals) red, itchy, watery eyes. swelling of hands, feet, or face. abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
Your allergies will last as long as your allergen exposure. Once you're no longer around allergens, your symptoms should go away after a few hours. However, if you have inhalant allergies, your symptoms may last for several days or longer due to ongoing exposure to pets, dust mites and pollens.
Untreated allergies can get worse, with more severe allergy attacks occurring over time. These frequent or prolonged allergic reactions can also weaken your immune system and set you up for dangerous complications, such as bacterial or fungal infections in the sinuses, lungs, ears or skin.
In hospital
an oxygen mask may be used to help breathing. fluids may be given directly into a vein to help increase blood pressure. additional medicines such as antihistamines and steroids may be used to help relieve symptoms. blood tests may be carried out to confirm anaphylaxis.
It can be mild, moderate to severe, or severe. Most cases are mild but any anaphylaxis has the potential to become life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms include: 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.
Anaphylaxis is considered likely to be present if any 1 of the 3 following clinical criteria is satisfied within minutes to hours: Acute symptoms involving skin, mucosal surface, or both, as well as at least one of the following: respiratory compromise, hypotension, or end-organ dysfunction.
throat tightness or feeling like the throat or airways are closing. hoarseness or trouble speaking. wheezing or cough. nasal stuffiness.
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. DO NOT SHOWER as this may contribute to a drop in blood pressure which can escalate the severity of an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of Food Allergies
Life-threatening allergic reactions also must have trouble breathing and/or swallowing. The medical name for this is anaphylaxis. Most of these reactions have a sudden onset within 10 to 20 minutes. All occur within 2 hours of eating a certain food.
Anaphylactic reactions can often be mild, but even those have the potential to become life-threatening at any time.
"If you have a simple rash, and you're itching, you can probably go to urgent care. But if you have a rash and vomiting, you should go to the ER." An anaphylactic allergic reaction can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical treatment.
The first signs of an anaphylactic reaction may look like typical allergy symptoms: a runny nose or a skin rash. But within about 30 minutes, more serious signs appear. There is usually more than one of these: Coughing; wheezing; and pain, itching, or tightness in your chest.