What Are the Signs of Anaphylaxis?

Allergies can range from a mild annoyance to a serious health risk. For some people, exposure to an allergen triggers a severe reaction, which can happen very fast and require quick medical care. Allergy & Asthma Associates of Michigan can help you understand the causes of anaphylaxis and establish a plan for long term preventive care after your first time anaphylaxis event. Learning about severe allergy symptoms can save your life, so seek help from our experts in Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, and Livonia, MI today.

Anaphylaxis is a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction. It affects your whole body and can happen within minutes of coming into contact with an allergen. When your body senses a threat, your immune system overreacts. This flood of chemicals can cause you to go into shock. Your blood pressure will drop suddenly, and your airways will narrow, blocking your breathing.

Many different things can trigger a severe allergic reaction. The most common triggers include:

• Foods – Peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, sesame and eggs are frequent culprits.
• Insect Bites – Bee, wasp, yellow jacket, hornet, and fire ant stings can cause severe reactions.
• Medications – Certain antibiotics and over-the-counter pain relievers can trigger a response.
• Latex – This type of rubber is found in some gloves, balloons, and medical supplies.

Unfortunately, for some people, the cause of a reaction is never found. This is known as idiopathic anaphylaxis.

Recognizing the signs of anaphylaxis early is essential. The symptoms often start quickly and worsen over a few minutes. Common anaphylaxis signs and symptoms include:

• Skin Reactions – You might notice hives, itching, or flushed, pale skin.
• Breathing Problems – Shortness of breath, wheezing, or a tight feeling in your throat may occur.
• Swelling – Your lips, tongue, face, or throat can swell up very fast.
• Heart Issues – A weak and rapid pulse is a clear warning sign.
• Digestive Issues – You may experience nausea, vomiting, or sudden diarrhea.
• Dizziness – You might feel lightheaded or even pass out.

During anaphylaxis, your immune system mistakenly thinks a safe substance is harmful. As a result, it releases a large amount of chemicals, such as histamine, to fight the threat. These chemicals travel through your bloodstream and affect many organs at once. Your blood vessels will widen, making your blood pressure drop sharply. At the same time, the muscles around your lungs tighten. This combination of low blood pressure and closed airways makes the condition dangerous and potentially fatal.

A severe allergic reaction doesn’t always happen in just one step. It can occur in different stages:

• Initial Reaction – Symptoms begin shortly after exposure. You might have an itchy mouth or a sudden sense of dread.
• Peak Reaction – Within 30 minutes, symptoms become severe. Breathing gets hard, and swelling increases.
• Biphasic Reaction – Sometimes, symptoms return hours after the initial reaction was treated. Patients must be watched closely by a specialist after an attack. The most common cause of biphasic anaphylaxis is delayed administration of epinephrine

When it comes to anaphylaxis treatment, speed is everything. The first and most important step is using an epinephrine auto-injector, like an EpiPen. Epinephrine quickly reverses the severe symptoms. It opens the airways, raises blood pressure, and reduces swelling.

Even if you use an auto-injector and feel better, you must go to an emergency room immediately. A doctor will need to monitor you to make sure a biphasic reaction doesn’t occur. Long-term treatment involves working with an allergy specialist to identify your triggers and create a personalized safety plan.

Allergy & Asthma Associates of Michigan provides the allergy support and care you need. Our board-certified specialists in Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, and Livonia offer advanced testing, accurate diagnoses, and customized safety plans for patients of all ages. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.