How to Recognize an Anaphylactic Reaction

Allergies & Anaphylaxis

Anaphylactic Reaction – What To Do

I’m an allergy parent, and I write the Irritated by Allergies blog for Yummy Mummy Club, as well.

My son has had severe food allergies since birth, so I’ve got six years of handling those allergies, and mitigating his risk of anaphylactic shock. In that time, we’ve had to use his epinephrine auto-injector just once (and it was a false alarm in the end), but I know how scary it is to have to wonder if a reaction is anaphylaxis or not.

It’s important to know how to recognize anaphylactic shock, and take immediate action because anaphylaxis can be fatal. Seconds count.

When To Use Your EpiPen

Someone recently shared a story with me about their allergist’s recommendations regarding use of an EpiPen saying, “Think of it as when you have to use it, not if“, and I think that’s so important.

Understanding that immediate use of an epinephrine auto-injector is imperative can truly save a life.

No Side Effects

Most often, fatalities from anaphylaxis happen because there’s been a delay in administering epinephrine because people tend to worry about side effects (there are no negative ones), or don’t realize it’s actually anaphylaxis.

Symptoms of Anaphylactic Shock

Here are the symptoms of anaphylaxis according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology:

• Difficulty breathing
• Hives/swelling
• Throat tightening/Hoarseness
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain/Diarrhea
• Dizziness/Fainting
• Low Blood Pressure/Rapid Heart Beat
• Feeling of Doom
• Cardiac Arrest

You Must Practice

Epi-Pen---dr-dina-kulik-1

I cannot stress enough how important it is to be comfortable using an epinephrine auto-injector, and to understand the symptoms.

You can request a practice device from EpiPen, and teach your family, friends, and children how to use them safely.

Get comfortable with the device, and if it’s a child with severe allergies, get them comfortable with it, too. Needles can be scary! But as my son can tell you, injection is so fast, it doesn’t actually hurt much at all.

Anaphylaxis is identifiable when more than one system is involved — so, say, hives plus difficulty breathing would be of great concern.

And while reactions are typically severe within minutes, estimates are that they reach peak severity between 5 and 30 minutes. In up to 35% of cases, a second dose of epinephrine is required, so once you’ve administered that shot, call 9-1-1 immediately and make sure help is on the way.

An Anaphylactic Reaction Can Kill

Given the fact that an anaphylactic reaction can kill within minutes, it’s also important to realize that:

“there are no serious side effects of using an epinephrine auto-injector even if it’s not an anaphylactic reaction.”

Plenty of people have been accidentally injected, or, like my own son, injected when not in anaphylaxis, with no serious side effects.

This is very much a case when being safe is far better than being sorry.

Sources:
World Allergy Org.
ACAII Org.
MedScape

Alex Durrell

Written By: Alex Durrell

Alexandria is a writer, blogger, entrepreneur and introvert. She’s also the mom of two fantastic kids. You may know her from the Irritated by Allergies blog at Yummy Mummy Club or from her prolific tweeting about life as Clippo on Twitter. She occasionally appears on Daytime Durham, has written articles for various print and online media, and is found most often at her desk, hugging a mug of hot coffee.

You might also enjoy

Starting Solids to Prevent Food Allergies

Starting Solids to Prevent Food Allergies

Most babies are eager and ready to start solid food before six months of age. With your healthcare provider’s support and guidance, most babies can begin to experiment with solid foods, as a secondary source of nutrition after four months of age.

How to prevent kids allergies to foods

How to prevent kids allergies to foods

Kids allergies can be terrifying and overwhelming – watching a baby’s allergic reaction, particularly to foods that you are feeding. Study shows that as many as 5.6 million children under 18 years of age in the United States alone have a food allergy.

What Do Puffers Do? The Definition of Asthma, and Treatment In Kids

What Do Puffers Do? The Definition of Asthma, and Treatment In Kids

What do Puffers do?  It’s that time of year again when Fall viruses hit and kids everywhere are coughing up a storm. Unfortunately for many kids (and their parents), viral induced coughs and asthma are prevalent and lingering this time of year. In the depths of winter...

Dr. Dina Kulik - Subscribe to my Blog
Dr Dina Kulik - Kids Health blog

The general information provided on the Website is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Do NOT use this Website for medical emergencies.

If you have a medical emergency, call a physician or qualified healthcare provider, or CALL 911 immediately. Under no circumstances should you attempt self-treatment based on anything you have seen or read on this Website. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed and qualified health provider in your jurisdiction concerning any questions you may have regarding any information obtained from this Website and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or to someone else. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.

Success! Check Your Inbox

Success! Check Your Inbox

Success! Check Your Inbox

COVID Toolbox

Success! Check Your Inbox

Dr Dina Kulik - Kids Health blog

.

Success! Thanks for Subscribing!

Dr Dina Kulik - Kids Health blog

.

Success! Thanks for Subscribing!

Dr Dina Kulik - Kids Health - Constipation Management

Success! Check Your Inbox