What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you're allergic to.
Anaphylaxis causes your immune system to release a flood of chemicals that can cause you to go into shock — your blood pressure drops suddenly and your airways narrow, blocking breathing.
Anaphylaxis requires an injection of epinephrine and a follow-up trip to an emergency room. If you don't have epinephrine, you need to go to an emergency room immediately. If anaphylaxis isn't treated right away, it can be fatal.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms include:
- Skin reactions, including hives and itching and flushed or pale skin
- Constriction of your airways and a swollen tongue or throat
- A weak and rapid pulse
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Dizziness or fainting
Causes
Your immune system produces antibodies that defend against foreign substances.
This is good when a foreign substance is harmful, such as certain bacteria or viruses. But some people's immune systems overreact to substances that don't normally cause an allergic reaction.
Allergy symptoms aren't usually life-threatening, but a severe allergic reaction can lead to anaphylaxis.
The most common anaphylaxis triggers in children are food allergies, also certain medications, sting from the bees and latex.
Although not common, some people develop anaphylaxis from aerobic exercise. Eating certain foods before exercise or exercising when the weather is hot, cold or humid also has been linked to anaphylaxis in some people.
If you don't know what triggers your allergy attack, certain tests can help identify the allergen.
In some cases, the cause of anaphylaxis is never identified (idiopathic anaphylaxis).
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anaphylaxis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351468
