What should you know about anaphylaxis medical term?

Symptoms may involve several parts of the body and can worsen quickly, so treatment should not wait for every possible sign to appear.

During anaphylaxis, the immune system releases chemicals that can narrow the airways and cause blood pressure to fall. Possible features include throat or tongue swelling, difficult or noisy breathing, wheezing, widespread hives, facial swelling, vomiting, dizziness, confusion or collapse. Skin changes may be absent, so their absence does not rule out a severe reaction.

Triggers can include foods, medicines, insect stings and latex. A reaction can begin after a trigger that was previously tolerated, and the pattern can differ from one episode to another.

Use an epinephrine auto-injector immediately if anaphylaxis is suspected and one is available. Inject it into the outer thigh according to the device instructions, then call UAE emergency services. Do not delay epinephrine to try an antihistamine; antihistamines do not treat airway swelling or dangerously low blood pressure.

Keep the person lying flat with legs raised if comfortable. If breathing is difficult, they may sit with legs extended; if unconscious but breathing, place them on their side. Avoid standing or walking. If symptoms persist or return and the person has another prescribed injector, follow their emergency action plan and the device instructions.

Treat sudden breathing difficulty, throat tightness, tongue swelling, faintness or collapse after possible allergen exposure as an emergency. A rapidly spreading reaction involving more than one body system, such as hives with vomiting or wheezing, also needs urgent action.

Emergency assessment is still needed after epinephrine appears to work because symptoms can recur. The person should be monitored by clinicians and should not drive themselves to care.

After recovery, ask what may have triggered the reaction, whether allergy testing is appropriate, how to avoid that trigger, and how to recognise anaphylaxis early. Request a written emergency action plan and hands-on instruction for your prescribed auto-injector, including where to carry it and when a replacement is needed.