What is Anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis Symptoms

In individuals with severe allergies, a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis may occur after exposure to various allergen substances. This situation, which is a serious allergic reaction, can develop especially against the active ingredient of poisons, foodstuffs and various drugs. In most cases of anaphylaxis, it occurs after bee stings or individuals with various food allergies consume those substances.

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a common and life-threatening medical emergency characterized by the development of hypersensitivity reactions. In general, the characteristics of anaphylaxis are rapid development, generalization, effects on many systems and allergic reaction. If appropriate treatment is not given, anaphylaxis, which progresses rapidly, can reach life-threatening dimensions by causing the closure of the airways.

With the development of anaphylaxis, people may develop a state of shock defined as skin rash, low heart rate and anaphylactic shock. If left untreated, anaphylactic shock is a fatal condition. Individuals diagnosed with this disorder are generally advised by healthcare professionals to carry epinephrine with them for early intervention. With this drug, future reactions can be stopped before they become life-threatening.

Causes Anaphylaxis?

Various drugs, foodstuffs and insect stings are the most common triggering factors of anaphylaxis. Peanut variety, fish, shellfish and milk are among the nutrients that can cause the development of anaphylaxis if consumed in individuals with allergies. Apart from these factors, latex exposure and exercise can also result in anaphylaxis in some people. It is recommended to be careful as anaphylaxis may occur in the body during immunotherapy applications applied to relieve various allergic responses. The body is constantly in contact with foreign substances. Against these living or non-living substances, the immune system constantly synthesizes protein-structured substances called antibodies. In most cases, a different response in the body does not occur with the release of antibodies. The development of anaphylaxis is due to the developing antibodies of the immune system. The whole body depends on an allergic reaction. The histamine molecule generally triggers the development of an inflammatory response. Dilation of blood vessels, a sudden decrease in blood pressure, loss of consciousness or development of shock are among the other problems that may occur with the effect of histamine. Fluid escape from blood vessels causes edema. This reaction may start directly after contact with the allergen or may occur hours later. In some cases, the development of post-exposure anaphylaxis may take days.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis may differ from person to person or depending on the type of allergy:

• Runny nose
• Itching sensation in the throat and mouth
• Enlargement of the tongue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Development of edema, itching or rash on the skin
• Extreme anxiety
• Development of edema in the hands, feet, lips, eyes or genital area
• Pale blue appearance of the skin due to low blood pressure
• Low pulse, dizziness
• Shock
• Loss of Consciousness

In addition to these symptoms, other symptoms such as watering and redness of the eyes, headache, metallic taste in the mouth or uterine cramping may also be added to the anaphylaxis table in some individuals. As conditions such as severe breathing difficulties and sudden decrease in blood pressure can progress to a state of shock and may progress to death, care should be taken. should seek medical assistance. The medical first aid application for anaphylaxis can be summarized as follows:

• In case of detection of the allergen substance, its removal from the environment in order to terminate the exposure and the emergency number Asking for support from their patients
• Making people lie on their back or lie flat if they have a tendency to faint
• If the patient is conscious, questioning whether they have experienced such a situation before or if they are allergic to any substance
• Ensuring the use of anti-allergy medications on them
• Staying with the person until emergency medical support arrives

Airway management is a very important issue in the treatment of anaphylaxis. Roughly evaluating the patient's airway at the scene may have warning features about obstructions that may occur over time. Symptoms such as edema around or inside the mouth, hoarseness and angioedema are among the main symptoms that indicate a change in the airway.

It is important that the patient has experienced such a situation before, as it may mean that he or she may be carrying an epinephrine injector known as adrenaline. Epinephrine is administered as an intramuscular (intramuscular) injection and its dose varies between 0.3-0.5 mL for a concentration of 1:1,000. The pediatric (for children) dose is 0.01 mg per kilogram or 0.15 mg directly. Intramuscular administration is associated with a faster distribution and better results than intravenous or subcutaneous (under the skin) administration of epinephrine. The thigh region is the most commonly used muscle region for this purpose.

Several studies show that the time elapsed before epinephrine treatment is quite long. Although a single dose injection is sufficient for many patients, the epinephrine dose can be repeated at 5-10 minutes intervals until the symptoms improve, if necessary. With the epinephrine injection, some changes occur in the person's body. The main features of epinephrine are the contraction of the vessels, the relaxation of the lungs and the ability to prevent further chemical secretion in the body. Due to the possibility of developing shock after anaphylaxis, fluid and oxygen support can also be given to people in health institutions. . Drugs evaluated as beta agonists are among the agents that can facilitate breathing.

If symptoms of anaphylaxis are encountered in any individual in the environment, immediate medical assistance should be requested. People who have experienced this situation before and who have an epinephrine injector with them should first apply this dose and then seek support from the emergency help lines. If you are helping someone who is in anaphylaxis, tell them that help will come soon, and have the patient lie on their back and keep their legs above the ground, if possible, cover them with a blanket. It is recommended to avoid trying to give medication by mouth to people who have breathing problems. If breathing is completely stopped or the heart stops, CPR, called cardiopulmonary resuscitation, should be performed.

Anaphylaxis is an important medical emergency that can reach life-threatening proportions. Anyone experiencing this condition or a similar severe allergic reaction is advised to seek immediate medical attention. Knowing what to do in anaphylaxis and similar situations can save your life and those around you. It is especially important to be aware of the symptoms of anaphylaxis and to know how to act.

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