How to Recognize Anaphylactic Shock and Save Life

Anaphylactic shock always develops suddenly and lightning fast. Therefore, it requires equally lightning action.

What is anaphylactic shock and why is it dangerous?

Anaphylactic shock is an extremely severe form of allergy.

As with any allergy, the body, when confronted with a substance that seems to him a poison, begins to defend itself. And it makes it so active that it harms itself.

But in the case of anaphylaxis, the situation is special: the immune response to the stimulus is so strong that not only the skin and mucous membranes get caught, but also the digestive tract, the lungs, the cardiovascular system. The consequences can be extremely unpleasant:

• Sharply decreases blood pressure.
• Quick edema of the tissues, including the larynx – the problems with breathing begin.
• The brain begins to experience acute oxygen starvation, which can lead to fainting and further impairment of vital functions.
• Because of the swelling and lack of oxygen, other internal organs also suffer.

This combination of symptoms is fraught with serious complications and can be fatal. Therefore, it is important to quickly recognize anaphylaxis and provide first aid.

How to recognize anaphylactic shock

The first and one of the most important moments in the diagnosis is contact with the allergen. Be especially careful if the following symptoms develop after an insect bite , the taking of any medicine or food. An allergen can be even a harmless at first glance cookies with peanuts.

The shock develops in two stages. The main symptoms-the precursors of anaphylaxis- look So:

• The obvious skin reaction is redness or, on the contrary, pallor.
• Itching.
• Heat.
• Tingling in the hands, feet, near the mouth or the entire surface of the head.
• Runny nose , itchy nose, a desire to sneeze.
• Difficult and / or wheezing.
• A lump in the throat, which prevents swallowing normally.
• Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Puffy lips and tongue.
• A clear feeling that something is wrong with the body.

Already at this stage it is necessary to take urgent measures (about them below). And even more so, emergency care is needed if anaphylaxis reaches the second, shock stage. His symptoms are:

• Dizziness.
• Severe weakness.
• Pale (a person literally whitens).
• The appearance of cold sweat.
• Severe shortness of breath (wheezing, noisy breathing).
• Sometimes convulsions .
• Loss of consciousness.

3 main rules of first aid for anaphylactic shock

1. Call an ambulance

It’s necessary do as soon as possible. You can do first aid but do not skip this step.

2. Urgently enter the adrenaline

Adrenaline (epinephrine) is administered intramuscularly to raise the fallen blood pressure. This drug is sold in pharmacies in the format of autoinjectors – automatic syringes, already containing the necessary dose of medication. Even a child can make a prick such a device.

Typically, the injection is done in the thigh – here is the largest muscle, it is difficult to miss.

Do not be afraid: adrenaline will not do any harm with a false alarm. But with a simple can save lives.

People who have already experienced anaphylactic reactions are often carried autoinjectors with adrenaline with them. If the victim is still conscious, be sure to ask if he has a drug. There is? Follow the instructions above.

Taking antihistamines does not make sense: anaphylactic shock develops very quickly and they just do not have time to act.

If the adrenaline is not there, and there are no pharmacies nearby, it remains to wait for the ambulance to arrive.

3. Try to relieve a person’s condition

• Lay the victim on his back, lifting his legs.
• If possible, isolate the person from the allergen. If you notice that the allergic reaction began to develop after an insect bite or an injection of a drug, apply a bandage above the bite or injection site to slow the spread of the allergen through the body.
• Do not let the victim drink.
• If there is vomiting, turn your head to one side so that the person does not choke.
• If a person has lost consciousness and has ceased to breathe, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (if you have the appropriate skills) and continue until the arrival of physicians.
• If the condition of the victim has improved, still make sure that he waited for the ambulance. Anaphylactic shock requires additional examinations. In addition, it is possible to repeat the attack.

Everything, you did what you could. Then the hope is only on the body of the victim and the qualifications of the doctors.

Fortunately, in most cases, with the provision of timely medical care, anaphylaxis recedes. According to American statistics, the lethal outcome is fixed only 1% of those who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of anaphylactic shock.

What can cause anaphylactic shock?

There is no special reason to list the reasons. Allergy is an individual reaction of the body, it can develop into completely harmless for other people factors.

But for the letterheads still give a list of the most common triggers, in response to which anaphylactic shock occurs.

• Food. Most often – nuts (especially peanuts and forest), seafood, eggs, wheat, milk.
• Pollen of plants .
• Bites of insects – bees, wasps, hornets, ants, even mosquitoes.
• Dust mites.
• Mold.
• Latex.
• Some medicines.

Who is prone to anaphylactic shock

The risk of developing anaphylactic shock is high in those, who:-

• Already experienced a similar allergic reaction.
• Has any kind of allergy or asthma .
• Has relatives who have had anaphylaxis.

If you belong to one of these groups of risk, consult a therapist. Perhaps you need to buy an autoinjector of adrenaline and carry it with you.