Anaphylactic Shock Main Symptoms and Treatment

Anaphylactic shock, also known as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic reaction, is a serious allergic reaction that occurs in the body in response to a substance to which you have a severe allergy, such as shrimp, bee venom, medicines or foods, for example , activating the immune system in a few seconds or minutes, because the body recognizes this substance as a threat.

Due to the severity of symptoms and shortness of breath, it is important that the person is transferred to the hospital immediately so that treatment can begin as soon as possible to avoid complications.

Main symptoms

In these cases, symptoms emerge quickly and include:

• Difficulty breathing with wheezing;

• Itching and redness of the skin;

• Swelling of the mouth, eyes and nose;

• Sensation of having a ball in the throat;

• Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting;

• Increased heartbeat;

• Dizziness and feeling faint;

• Intense sweating;

• Confusion or fainting

READ ALSO: How to cure sinusitis faster and naturally

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

Therefore, an ambulance should be called immediately to the emergency number or go to the hospital emergency, remain calm and place the victim on his side in case he faints.

How the treatment is carried out

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

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

READ ALSO: Allergic cough: causes, symptoms and how to remove

After treatment, it may be necessary for the patient to stay in the hospital for a few hours to observe all the signs and symptoms, preventing anaphylactic shock from recurring.

What to do if you have already had anaphylactic shock

After 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, walnuts, almonds, wheat, fish, shellfish, milk, and eggs;

Stings of insects such as bees, wasps and ants.

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

After identifying what is causing the allergic reaction, the most important thing is to avoid being in contact with this substance again. 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 must always be accompanied by the allergic person, and can always be used. the first symptoms of shock appear.