What to do if someone suddenly has an allergic reaction? (Allergic Reaction) Let's find out exactly!

Sometimes in our lives, we can suddenly become allergic to something, right? It could be a food, a medicine, an animal fur, a flower pollen, or something else. Most of the time, this allergic reaction is not that big or serious. It can be something like a small itch or redness of the skin and go away on its own. However, sometimes this can be a little more serious and even life-threatening. So today, let's talk about what happens when an allergic reaction occurs, what we should do, and how to be careful of it. Knowing these things is very important for you and your family.

What exactly is an allergic reaction? Why does it happen?

Simply put, an allergic reaction is when our immune system (the system that protects us from disease) mistakenly thinks something that is normally harmless is an enemy and starts to fight it. Imagine that the little soldiers inside our bodies see something that is normally harmless (for example, food, dust) and think it is a big enemy and suddenly start to attack.

We call things that the body reacts to in this way "allergens ." These can be of various types:

• Foods: Some people can be allergic to things like milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shrimp. These food allergies are more common in young children.
• Medications: Some people may be allergic to antibiotics like penicillin and painkillers.
• Insect stings: The venom of animals such as wasps and hornets can cause severe allergies.
• Pollen: Some people also develop allergies due to the pollen in the environment during the flowering season.
• Dust mites: These are tiny creatures that are invisible to the naked eye and live in the dust of homes.
• Pet dander: The fur, saliva, and dead skin cells of animals like dogs and cats can also cause allergies.
• Latex: Some people are also sensitive to latex, a substance found in rubber gloves and balloons.

When something like this enters or comes into contact with the body, our immune system releases chemicals like histamine . These chemicals are what cause the symptoms we see in an allergy (like itching, swelling, and a runny nose).

What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction? How do we recognize it?

The symptoms of an allergic reaction can vary from person to person. It also depends on how severe it is. Let's take a look at what these symptoms are.

Symptoms of a minor or mild allergic reaction

These are usually not very serious, but they can be uncomfortable.

• Itching and slight swelling: One or several areas of the body may start to itch.
• Skin color changes: The skin may turn red, or it may become a slightly darker color than your natural skin color.
• Stuffy nose, watery discharge from the nose.
• Continuous sneezing.
• Itching, redness, and watering of the eyes.
• Red, itchy welts all over the body: These can look like hives. We also call these hives .

One or more of these symptoms may appear. These usually subside within a few hours or a day or two.

Symptoms of a Severe Allergic Reaction - Be especially aware of these!

This is the situation we should be most afraid of. In medical terms, we call this anaphylaxis . This is a medical emergency . If you see any of these symptoms, it is essential to go to the hospital immediately.

• Swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat: This can make it difficult to speak and swallow.
• Difficulty breathing: You may hear a wheezing sound when breathing, or you may feel like you are suffocating.
• Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Dizziness , feeling light-headed, fainting.
• Blue or pale skin color.
• Fast or weak heartbeat.
• A sudden feeling of great fear and anxiety.
• The most important thing is that symptoms of two or more body systems appear at the same time. For example, if you have hives and then have difficulty breathing, that is a serious sign. Or, if you feel dizzy with a stomachache, that is also something to be concerned about.

Anaphylaxis is no joke. It can be life-threatening in seconds or minutes. So if you see these symptoms, don't delay for a moment.

What do we do if we have an allergic reaction? What is emergency treatment?

Okay, now we know what the symptoms are. What do we do if one of these occurs? The most important thing is not to panic, but to act quickly.

1. If the person has an "Allergy Action Plan" given to them by a doctor for their previous allergies, follow it exactly as it is written. Doctors usually give people with severe allergies a plan like this. It clearly states what symptoms they should take, how much to take, and when to go to the emergency room.

2. If symptoms are severe (symptoms of anaphylaxis):

• If you or the patient has an epinephrine auto-injector , such as an EpiPen , use it immediately and as directed. This is a life-saving medication.
• Call 1990 (Sri Lanka's emergency ambulance service) immediately, or take the patient to the nearest hospital emergency department as soon as possible. Time is of the essence at this time.
• Place the patient in a reclining position. It is best to elevate the legs slightly (to prevent low blood pressure).
• If it's hard to breathe or if they're vomiting, put them in a chair or turn them on their side and make them lie down.
• If you are wearing tight clothes, loosen them.

3. If symptoms are mild and there is no previously identified allergy action plan:

• On medical advice, you can give an oral antihistamine . For example, you can give something like Cetirizine (brand name Zyrtec , or another brand available at the pharmacy) or Chlorpheniramine (also known as Piriton). However, remember that these medications should be given in doses appropriate for the age of the child. Be especially careful when giving them to young children.
• If mild symptoms persist or occur frequently, see a doctor for advice.
• Even if it seems mild, if you have any concerns, it's best to talk to a doctor.

Important: Antihistamines alone are not enough to treat a severe allergic reaction! They take time to work, and they are not as powerful as epinephrine. In a serious case, epinephrine is the only thing that can save your life.

What can we do to prevent allergic reactions?

It's better to prevent an allergy from developing than to treat it after it develops. Let's see what can be done about it.

• The most important thing is to identify exactly what allergens you or your child is allergic to and stay away from them as much as possible.
• If it's food, read the labels on food packages carefully. Even when eating out, ask to find out if the food contains anything you're allergic to.
• If you are allergic to dust mites, reduce dust in your home and wash bedding frequently in hot water.
• If you are allergic to pollen, be careful when going outdoors during the flowering season, and wear a mask if possible.
• If you often have minor allergies, keep an antihistamine with you as prescribed by your doctor.
• If you or your child has had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) before, or if a doctor has told you that you may have a severe allergy, it is essential to always carry an epinephrine auto-injector.
• The doctor will clearly teach you how to use it. Understand it and get used to it. If necessary, teach other family members how to use it.
• Always carry two epinephrine auto-injectors (devices). You may need to give a second dose if one doesn't work, or if the first dose doesn't relieve your symptoms.
• Always check the expiration date on this injector. Do not use expired ones.
• If your child goes to school, inform the teachers and school nurse about this, and keep an injector at school.
• It is also very important to wear a medical ID bracelet or card . It will list your allergies and what to do in an emergency.

Imagine that your child is severely allergic to peanuts. He goes to school. So, you should definitely inform the child's teacher and the school medical staff about this. They should be aware that the child has an EpiPen and how to use it if necessary. Also, when going to the child's friends' birthday parties, you should be especially careful about the food. Small things like these can prevent a big accident.

The most important things you need to remember from what we have discussed (Take-Home Message)

Okay, we've talked a lot about allergic reactions, haven't we? It's probably hard to remember all of this at once. But, it's important to keep these things in mind:

• Recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction: Remember that there are minor, mild symptoms (itching, hives) as well as serious, life-threatening symptoms (difficulty breathing, swelling of the mouth and tongue, loss of consciousness).
• If you see serious symptoms (anaphylaxis), don't delay: give epinephrine immediately (if available) and get to the hospital.
• If you or someone in your family has a severe allergy, always carry two epinephrine auto-injectors with you. Know exactly how to use them.
• Be as careful as possible about allergens.
• Although antihistamines can help with mild allergies, they alone are not enough for severe allergies.
• If you have any doubts or concerns, never hesitate to seek medical advice.

Living with allergies can be a challenge at times. However, with proper awareness and taking the necessary precautions, there is nothing stopping you from living a happy, healthy life. I hope you found this information useful!

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