Anaphylactic shock: Symptoms, Why it Occurs and How it is Treated

Anaphylactic shock, also known as anaphylaxis, is a serious allergic reaction that occurs in the body in response to a substance that causes severe allergy, activating the immune system in a few seconds or minutes, because the body recognizes this substance as a threat.

Anaphylaxis usually occurs after being in contact with substances such as shrimp, shellfish and nuts; by the sting of a bee or wasp; or because of an allergic reaction to any component of a medication, causing symptoms such as itching, redness of the skin and respiratory distress.

Signs and symptoms of Anaphylactic shock

In these cases, symptoms arise quickly and include:

• Trouble breathing with wheezing;
• Itching and redness in the skin;
• Swelling of the mouth, eyes and nose;
• Feeling of having a ball in the throat;
• Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting;
• Increased heartbeat;
• Dizziness and feeling faint;
• Intense sweating;
• Confusion or fainting

Due to the severity of the symptoms and the risk of being unable to breathe is greater, it is important to start treatment as quickly as possible to avoid putting the victim's life at risk.

So you should immediately call an ambulance to the emergency number or go to the hospital emergency, keep calm and put the victim aside if he passes out.

Treatment for Anaphylactic Shock

Treatment for anaphylactic shock should be performed as soon as possible in the center of care or in a hospital, with an injection of subcutaneous adrenaline and the use of an oxygen mask to help breathe.

In the most severe cases, in which the swelling of the throat prevents the passage of air into the lungs, it is necessary to perform a cricotirotomy, which is a surgical procedure to make a cut in the throat and keep breathing, to avoid brain changes serious.

After treatment it may be necessary for the patient to remain hospitalized for a few hours to observe all signs and symptoms, preventing anaphylactic shock from reoccurring.

What to do if you Already had an Anaphylactic Shock

After an anaphylactic shock it is recommended to consult an allergist to identify the substance that caused such a severe allergic reaction. Normally, the substances that cause this type of shock are:

• Some medications such as Penicillin, Aspirin, Ibuprofen or Naproxen;
• Food, such as peanuts, nuts, almonds, wheat, fish, shellfish, milk and eggs;
• Insect bites such as bees, wasps and ants.

In less frequent cases, shock can also occur when you are in contact with latex, some medications used in anesthesia or contrast used in diagnostic tests.

After identifying the cause of the allergic reaction, the most important thing is to avoid coming back into contact with this substance. However, in cases where life is at greater risk or when it is very difficult to avoid contact with the substance, the doctor may also prescribe an injection of Epinephrine, which should always be accompanied by the allergic person, and can always be used Let the first symptoms of shock appear.