General Information

DEFINITION--A life-threatening allergic response to medications and many other allergy-causing substances. Reactions that occur quickly tend to be the most severe.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Blood vessels throughout the body; heart; lungs; skin.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--

Any of the following may occur within seconds or a few minutes after exposure to a substance to which you are very allergic:

• Tingling or numbness around the mouth.
• Sneezing, coughing or wheezing.
• Swelling around face or hands.
• Itching all over, often accompanied by hives.
• Watery eyes.
• Feeling of anxiety.
• Tightness in the chest; difficulty breathing.
• Swelling or itching in the mouth or throat.
• Pounding heart, faintness, weak, rapid pulse.
• Loss of consciousness. Not all symptoms occur. Seek immediate help for any.

CAUSES--

Eating or receiving injections of something to which you are sensitive. The allergic response to neutralize or get rid of the material results in a life-threatening overreaction. Things which cause reactions most often include:

• Medication of all types, especially penicillins. Injections are riskier than oral drugs.
• Stings or bites from insects, such as bees, biting ants and some spiders.
• Injected chemicals used in some types of x-ray studies.
• Foods, especially eggs, beans, seafood, fruit.
• Vaccines; pollen.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• A previous mild allergic response to things listed above.
• History of eczema, hay fever or asthma.

HOW TO PREVENT--

If you have an allergic history:

• Tell your doctor before accepting any medication. Before you are given a shot, ask what it is.
• Keep an anaphylaxis kit, such as Ana-Kit, with you at all times. Be sure your family knows how to use the kit if you have a reaction.
• Always remain in your doctor's office 15 minutes after receiving any injection. Report any symptoms immediately.
• Protect yourself from insect stings.
• People with previous severe reaction to insect stings should consider immunization (allergy shots) as a preventive measure.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES---Laboratory skin tests to determine sensitivities.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE--Doctor's treatment. Long-term treatment involves desensitization therapy.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Without prompt treatment, anaphylaxis causes shock, cardiac arrest and death.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Full recovery with prompt treatment.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• If you observe signs of anaphylaxis in someone and he or she stops breathing: Call or have someone call 911 (emergency) or call 0 (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. (If the victim is a child, perform lifesaving measures for 1 minute before calling for emergency help.) Begin mouth-to-mouth breathing immediately. If there is no heartbeat, give external cardiac massage. Don't stop CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until help arrives.
• Be alert to the possibility of a reaction when taking any medicine and be prepared to respond quickly if symptoms occur. If you have had a previous severe allergic reaction, always carry your anaphylaxis kit.
• Wear a Medic-Alert tag (See Glossary) that indicates your allergic condition.

MEDICATION--

• Adrenalin by injection is the only effective immediate treatment.
• Aminophylline, cortisone drugs or antihistamines, given after the adrenalin, help prevent the return of acute symptoms.

ACTIVITY--Resume your normal activities as soon as symptoms improve after an attack. Stay under someone's observation for 24 hours in case symptoms recur.

DIET--Avoid foods to which you are allergic.

Call Your Doctor If