Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction. It can start very quickly, and its symptoms can be life-threatening.
Causes
The most common are reactions to:
- foods, especially peanuts;
- medicines;
- stinging insects.
Exercise and exposure to latex can also cause it, and sometimes no cause is found.
Symptoms
Anaphylaxis can affect many parts of the body:
| Where | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Skin | itching, hives, redness, swelling |
| Nose | sneezing, stuffy or runny nose |
| Mouth | itching, swelling of the lips or tongue |
| Throat | itching, tightness, trouble swallowing, swelling at the back of the throat |
| Chest | shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest pain or tightness |
| Heart | weak pulse, passing out, shock |
| Stomach and gut | vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps |
| Nervous system | dizziness or fainting |
What to do
If someone is having a serious allergic reaction:
- Call 911.
- If an auto-injector is available, give the person the injection right away.
Sources
- "Anaphylaxis," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/anaphylaxis.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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