Table of Contents
What is considered an anaphylactic reaction?
Anaphylaxis (an-a-fi-LAK-sis) is a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction. The most common anaphylactic reactions are to foods, insect stings, medications and latex. If you are allergic to a substance, your immune system overreacts to this allergen by releasing chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.
What is anaphylaxis and why does it occur?
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction to venom, food, or medication. Most cases are caused by a bee sting or eating foods that are known to cause allergies, such as peanuts or tree nuts. Anaphylaxis causes a series of symptoms, including a rash, low pulse, and shock, which is known as anaphylactic shock.
Can anaphylaxis happen for no reason?
While some people suffer anaphylaxis as part of a serious allergic reaction, in two out of three people, anaphylaxis has no known cause and thus the anaphylactic reaction is called idiopathic.
Is anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock the same thing?
The terms “anaphylaxis” and “anaphylactic shock” are often used to mean the same thing. They both refer to a severe allergic reaction. Shock is when your blood pressure drops so low that your cells (and organs) don’t get enough oxygen.
What is the difference between an allergy and anaphylaxis?
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.
How can you distinguish anaphylactic shock from other conditions?
The difference between an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis is the latter involves the respiratory and/or cardiovascular system. “People who have an allergic reaction often have skin symptoms, so they might have a rash, they might have some swelling of the face, the lips or the eyes,” Ms Said said.
Can anaphylaxis be caused by stress?
Some cases of “somatoform” idiopathic anaphylaxis have been reported, but such cases are defined by no response to any thera- peutic intervention. 2 We present a case of recurrent “idiopathic” anaphylaxis apparently precipitated by emotional stress.
How is anaphylaxis different from other conditions?
What can mimic anaphylaxis?
Common disorders that mimic anaphylaxis include acute generalized urticaria, acute angioedema, acute asthma exacerbations, syncope (faint), and panic attacks or acute anxiety (table 3).
Are there different levels of anaphylaxis?
It can be mild, moderate to severe, or severe. Most cases are mild but any anaphylaxis has the potential to become life-threatening. Anaphylaxis develops rapidly, usually reaching peak severity within 5 to 30 minutes, and may, rarely, last for several days.