Health Information

Symptoms

Usually, the symptoms of anaphylaxis occur within seconds or minutes of allergen exposure and vary from mild to severe. These symptoms include:

* Rapid pulse, sweating, dizziness, fainting, unconsciousness
* Wheezing or chest tightness, shortness of breath, cough
* Hives accompanied by itching, which can be combined to form larger areas of skin swelling
* Swelling of lips, tongue or eyes
* Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea
* Pale, bluish skin
* Swelling of the throat with tightness in throat, lump in the throat, hoarseness or obstructed air flow

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about the patient’s allergy history and about their exposure to common allergens that cause anaphylaxis. For the doctor is very important to know whether the patient’s symptoms began soon after exposure to an allergen, for instance after eating nuts, being stung by a bee or an antibiotic. Because the patient may be too ill to provide information, you need the help of a relative, friend, coworker or student nurse. People with a history of severe allergic reactions should consider wearing a necklace or bracelet with a medical alert identification to save valuable time when identifying the problem.

Usually, the doctor could diagnose anaphylaxis based on patient history and physical examination findings.

Possibility Related Posts:

• Anaphylaxis Treatment
  Treatment Some early cases of anaphylaxis can be treated with antihistamines and corticosteroids. The most severe cases involving emergencies that endanger life and require immediate medical attent...
• Anaphylaxis Prevention
  Duration If done early and appropriate treatment, cases of anaphylaxis can improve quickly in a few hours. If a person has already developed more serious symptoms and the most hazardous conditions,...
• Anaphylaxis
  Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, which can put lives at risk, which occurs within minutes of exposure to an allergy-causing substance (allergen). Also called anaphylactic shock. Faced wit...