Anaphylactic shock, also known as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic reaction, is a severe allergic reaction that occurs seconds or minutes after coming into contact with a substance you are allergic to, such as shrimp, bee venom, certain medications, or foods, for example. Example.
Because of the severity of symptoms and the increased risk of not being able to breathe, it is important that the person is immediately transferred to the hospital so that treatment can be started as soon as possible to avoid complications for the person.
- Symptoms of anaphylactic shock appear shortly after the person comes into contact with an object and substance capable of triggering a severe inflammatory response.
- The main being:.
It is important that as soon as the symptoms of anaphylactic shock are identified, the person is taken to the hospital to begin treatment, otherwise there is a risk of life-threatening complications. Find out what first aid is like in anaphylactic shock.
Treatment of anaphylactic shock should be performed as soon as possible in the emergency room or hospital, with the injection of adrenaline and the use of an oxygen mask to facilitate breathing.
In the most severe cases, where swelling of the throat prevents the passage of air to the lungs, it is necessary to perform a ccothyroostomy, which is a surgical procedure in which a cut is made in the throat, allowing to continue breathing, in order to avoid severe brain changes.
After treatment, it may be necessary for the patient to stay in the hospital for a few hours to observe all signs and symptoms, thus avoiding recurrence of anaphylactic shock.
After anaphylactic shock, it is recommended to consult an allergist to identify the substance that causes such a severe allergic reaction. As a general rule, substances that cause this type of shock include:
In less common cases, shock may also occur on contact with latex, certain medications used in anesthesia, or contrast products used in diagnostic tests.
After identifying the cause of the allergic reaction, the most important thing is to avoid contact with this substance. However, in cases where the risk of death is higher or where it is very difficult to avoid contact with the substance, the doctor may also prescribe an injection of epinephrine that should always be with the allergic person, and may be used in the first symptoms. Shock appears.
These substances do not always cause anaphylactic shock, and can only cause allergic reactions, which you have to watch for to avoid complications. Learn about the most common allergy symptoms.