Anaphylactic Shock: What you need to know to save a life!

Imagine that you ate some peanuts while having fun with friends, or that you got stung by a wasp while doing some gardening. What if, within a few minutes, you suddenly felt a rash all over your body, had difficulty breathing, and felt dizzy? This is a very scary and serious condition. Today, we are going to talk about a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.

What exactly is anaphylactic shock?

Simply put, this is the most severe and dangerous form of an allergy. Normally, our body's immune system is there to protect us from disease-causing germs. But sometimes, when something that's actually harmless (for example, food, medicine, or an insect sting) enters our body, the immune system mistakes it for a bigger threat. It then releases a large number of chemicals to fight it off.

Now you ask, what is anaphylactic shock ? Due to this condition of anaphylaxis, when the blood pressure in the body suddenly drops dangerously, our vital organs (such as the brain, heart, and kidneys) lose the oxygen and blood supply they need. That is when it becomes life-threatening, we call it "shock." So the shock caused by anaphylaxis is called anaphylactic shock.

What are the symptoms of this dangerous condition?

These symptoms usually appear within 5 to 30 minutes of exposure to the allergen. Sometimes they start as a little runny nose or a feeling of discomfort, but can quickly become severe. Let's look at some of the main symptoms.

In very severe cases, the patient may suddenly collapse, stop breathing, and even lose consciousness within minutes. So this is never something to be taken lightly.

What treatments are given to save lives?

The most important thing here is time . You need to act immediately, without wasting a single second.

When it enters the body, it opens up blocked airways and lowers blood pressure. For those who know they have severe allergies, doctors usually advise them to keep an auto-injector (a pen-like device that they can easily inject themselves) nearby.

What should be done immediately?

1. Give epinephrine: If you have an auto-injector, immediately inject it into the outside of the thigh.

2. Go to the hospital immediately: Even if you have been given epinephrine, if your symptoms are even mild, go to the nearest hospital's emergency department (ETU) immediately. This is essential. This is because sometimes the first reaction subsides, and a second, more severe reaction can occur a few hours later. This is called a biphasic reaction . At the ETU, doctors will monitor you and provide any additional treatment you may need.

In the ETU, you may be given an epinephrine injection, saline (fluids) to correct blood pressure, other medications to reduce allergies (antihistamines), and medications to open the airways through a vein.

What are the main causes of this situation?

There are several main reasons that often lead to these severe allergies.

• Food: Especially peanuts , tree nuts, shellfish, milk, eggs.
• Insect stings: Wasp, hornet, and bee stings.
• Medications: Antibiotics like penicillin , painkillers like aspirin , and some medications used for anesthesia.
• Latex: Some people can also develop severe allergies to latex, which is found in things like medical gloves and balloons.

The important thing is that you usually have to be exposed to something more than once before you develop a severe allergic reaction. For example, if you have a small rash after eating shrimp, or a wasp sting that causes a lot of swelling, tell your doctor. It's wise to be prepared for a severe reaction the next time.

How can you protect yourself from this?

The best thing to do is to stay as far away from the things you are allergic to as possible . But that may not always be possible. Therefore, you need to have a clear action plan for what to do if this situation arises.

• Talk to your doctor: If you are at risk for severe allergic reactions, talk to your doctor about keeping an epinephrine auto-injector with you. And make a plan for what to do in an emergency.
• Wear a Medical Alert Bracelet: Even if you can't talk, it's important to wear a bracelet or necklace that lets others know about your allergy.
• Inform your loved ones: Keep your family and friends informed. They need to know these things:
• What are you allergic to?
• What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis?
• Where is your epinephrine and how do you use it?
• When should you immediately take someone to the hospital?

By being aware of this, they will be able to help you in an emergency.

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