Home: Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis
There are persons who are sensitive to certain substances; food, pollens, or any other which makes their airway or the immune system hyper responsive. This characteristically refers to the allergic reactions or the anaphylaxis.
Sometimes also termed as hypersensitivity, especially in case of the drugs. In many cases the exact etiolgy or cause may not be found.
In simpler terms the anaphylaxis refers to the severe allergic reactions to certain substances that leads to severe respiratory distress and cardiovascular collapse which may more often, end into death, following the shock.
These anaphylactic reactions are manifested or clinically presented as sudden throat pain, drop in blood pressure or an elevation of the diastolic pressure, laryngeal oedema, bronchospasm, headache, chest tightedness, chest pain, respiratory distress, blurred vision, dizziness, sneezing, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea,etc.
Hypersensitiveness creates difficulty in breathing, hampers the circulation and person may even go in shock ; this signals it as an emergency which needs immediate attention. However all the allergic reactions may not be emergencies; as for example: certain persons are mild to moderately sensitive to pollen or dust particles which makes them to sneeze vigorously on each exposure. Such events can be prevented or at least controlled on our own.
Primary care (first aid) may save the life of the person with anaphylactic shock.
Emergency management should be carried out as early as possible; if you see a person has an anaphylactic shock and who needs immediate help:
- Call the ED (emergency department);call 911 immediately.
- Have the person lie on the flat surface; more suitably the floor.
- Loosen the clothing of the person.
- Elevate the feet of the person.
- Immediately administer the emergency drug epinephrine to rescue the life of the victim using the auto injector directly injecting the drug into the person’s thigh and massaging for 8-10 minutes to facilitate the absorption of the drug.
- If the person is conscious, and the airway is patent; an oral anti histamine may be administered such as Benadryl ( diphenhydramine ). Avoid giving, if you feel, it may cause choking.
- If the person has vomiting or oro pharyngeal secretions, or bleeding; turn the person’s face to one side to prevent aspiration and choking.
- Watch for the chest movements and the respirations of the person. If you find no improvement start the CPR as early as possible
Home care includes:
- Identify the allergen (the substance that you are having allergy because of it). for e.g. on your each attack of allergy, You need to assess everything you suspect. This needs a great deal of patience and tolerance. Once you identify your allergen, you can better avoid it. Avoid the foods that cause it or the fragrance that exposed you to the same.
- Remember prevention is always better than the cure. You should try to remain far away from the substances that expose you to the allergic reactions.
- More sensitive persons might keep an antidote of their allergen always ready at hand or antihistamine oral medications in their reach.
- It’s better always to carry with you an identification card or a bracelet that contains your identification data, your sensitivity to the particular substance; contacts of your family doctor, the medication that can help you out, etc.
- If in any case you feel you need medical attention first of all have your medication and then seek the medical help.
Disclaimer
This site provides you with the general guidelines and information regarding the first aid measures for the various conditions or health related problems. It is not a substitute for the medical advice or the formal first aid training. It will not be responsible or liable in case one tries to make diagnosis based on the provided information. You always need to consult the doctor and emergency department in case of all the serious emergencies rather than just relying upon the supposed guidelines.
