Our goal is to provide you with essential information on severe allergic reactions and if you can make use of the information provided, you may just save a life, maybe your own.
As common as allergic reactions are their triggers or causing factors can vary widely as can the resulting symptoms. Thankfully the severest allergic reaction resulting in death from anaphylaxis is rare.
Anaphylaxis is a frightening experience as the patient struggles for breath and the severe allergic reaction quickly spreads. These dangerous symptoms can result in shock, which can lead to death.
For anaphylaxis to start in the body you have to have been exposed to the trigger previously; this is referred to as sensitization. This means that though a bee sting may not cause severe allergic reactions at first, a second sting may lead to anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock.
A person may enjoy eating shellfish for years and then suddenly develop a severe allergic reaction; there is no telling when or if it will strike. Usually on exposure to an allergy trigger, anaphylaxis results almost instantly but there are times when the reaction is delayed.
Anaphylaxis occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to an antigen acknowledging a foreign substance in the body. The leucocytes or white blood cells make antibodies when reacting with the antigen; and these antibodies disperse in the bloodstream and bind to some cells of the body.
Once the antibodies come in contact with an antigen, other cells start producing chemicals called 'mediators'. An example of such a mediator is histamine. And it is this effect of these mediators that causes an allergic reaction in the body.
The causes or triggers of severe allergic reactions are numerous and may be blood products or transfusion of blood, dyes used in radiology procedures, medications whether over the counter or prescription, substances like latex, venom from stinging insects and some foods and food additives. Nuts shellfish are well known culprits.
There are situations where the trigger of severe allergic reactions is not known too. It is usually people who suffer from hay fever, asthma and eczema who are more likely to suffer from anaphylactic reactions than those who don't suffer from them.
The most threatening symptom to severe allergic reactions is difficulty in breathing and loss of consciousness that is due to swelling and/or spasms in the airways. Loss of consciousness here arises with low blood pressure, and is referred to as 'shock'. In very rare cases, the heart may stop pumping and breathing can stop.
If you suffer a severe allergic reaction get immediate medical attention. Don't wait at home, head to your nearest emergency department, by ambulance if necessary.
While waiting for the ambulance, you have to remain calm, try to identify the cause of the reaction and take an antihistamine if you have no difficulty swallowing. If you have an epinephrine kit, inject yourself or have someone do it for you.
I didn't write this article to help you accomplish ultra- knowledge about severe allergic reactions, but to alert you to the dangers of the situation and provide you with the basics to assist you. - 15437
As common as allergic reactions are their triggers or causing factors can vary widely as can the resulting symptoms. Thankfully the severest allergic reaction resulting in death from anaphylaxis is rare.
Anaphylaxis is a frightening experience as the patient struggles for breath and the severe allergic reaction quickly spreads. These dangerous symptoms can result in shock, which can lead to death.
For anaphylaxis to start in the body you have to have been exposed to the trigger previously; this is referred to as sensitization. This means that though a bee sting may not cause severe allergic reactions at first, a second sting may lead to anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock.
A person may enjoy eating shellfish for years and then suddenly develop a severe allergic reaction; there is no telling when or if it will strike. Usually on exposure to an allergy trigger, anaphylaxis results almost instantly but there are times when the reaction is delayed.
Anaphylaxis occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to an antigen acknowledging a foreign substance in the body. The leucocytes or white blood cells make antibodies when reacting with the antigen; and these antibodies disperse in the bloodstream and bind to some cells of the body.
Once the antibodies come in contact with an antigen, other cells start producing chemicals called 'mediators'. An example of such a mediator is histamine. And it is this effect of these mediators that causes an allergic reaction in the body.
The causes or triggers of severe allergic reactions are numerous and may be blood products or transfusion of blood, dyes used in radiology procedures, medications whether over the counter or prescription, substances like latex, venom from stinging insects and some foods and food additives. Nuts shellfish are well known culprits.
There are situations where the trigger of severe allergic reactions is not known too. It is usually people who suffer from hay fever, asthma and eczema who are more likely to suffer from anaphylactic reactions than those who don't suffer from them.
The most threatening symptom to severe allergic reactions is difficulty in breathing and loss of consciousness that is due to swelling and/or spasms in the airways. Loss of consciousness here arises with low blood pressure, and is referred to as 'shock'. In very rare cases, the heart may stop pumping and breathing can stop.
If you suffer a severe allergic reaction get immediate medical attention. Don't wait at home, head to your nearest emergency department, by ambulance if necessary.
While waiting for the ambulance, you have to remain calm, try to identify the cause of the reaction and take an antihistamine if you have no difficulty swallowing. If you have an epinephrine kit, inject yourself or have someone do it for you.
I didn't write this article to help you accomplish ultra- knowledge about severe allergic reactions, but to alert you to the dangers of the situation and provide you with the basics to assist you. - 15437
