Anaphylaxis Symptoms - A Quick Guide

Understanding Anaphylaxis Symptoms: Causes and Diagnosis

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction triggered by exposure to certain allergens. It can cause the airways to constrict, making breathing difficult, and may lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure. In response, the immune system releases a surge of chemicals, sometimes resulting in anaphylactic shock. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent serious complications.

In this blog, we will explore the key anaphylaxis symptoms, identify common triggers, and explain the diagnostic approaches used. We will also outline effective treatment methods to help manage and respond to this medical emergency swiftly and safely.

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

The common signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include the following:

• Wheezing and Hoarseness: People suffer from this as their airways become narrow.
• Swelling of the Tongue, Throat and Lips: It is one of the most common anaphylaxis signs and symptoms, known as angio-oedema. This type of allergy involves the deeper layers of a person’s skin. Although it may appear on the limbs or around the eyes, it typically affects the throat, tongue, and lips more significantly.
• Itchy Rash: An itchy rash or hives is among the anaphylaxis symptoms of the skin. The affected region generally rises, and the person notices it as pale pink. However, not everyone who suffers from anaphylaxis experiences this rash.

Additional anaphylaxis symptoms include:

• Feeling faint (this happens due to an abrupt drop in blood pressure)
• Conditions involving the gastrointestinal tract (can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, etc.)
• A relatively faster heart rate (tachycardia) or the persisting sensation of a 'thumping heart' which can occur as the heart tries to maintain the normal blood pressure
• A feeling of impending doom

Moreover, the primary advanced symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Stridor : A typical noise occurs in the upper airways (generally the upper windpipe, mouth, and throat) as the patient breathes due to swollen tissues obstructing the airflow.
• Respiratory Collapse : It is a serious symptom where the breathing system of a person’s body gradually fails. The apparent signs can be cyanosis (when the tongue and lips turn bluish) combined with fast and shallow breathing. When the affected individual fails to breathe properly, oxygen does not reach their blood. As a result, the lack of oxygen disrupts the normal functioning of organs, since cells require a consistent supply of it.
• Low Blood Pressure or Hypotension : This is a serious condition which may eventually cause a circulatory collapse.

What Causes Anaphylaxis?

The immune system generates antibodies to fight against foreign substances. This is a natural mechanism that is highly effective when the foreign substance is potentially harmful, like specific viruses or bacteria. However, certain individuals' immune systems react to external agents that normally should not cause any allergy.

The most common causes of anaphylaxis in children include food allergies, like tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, milk and sesame. In addition to these, the following elements may cause anaphylaxis signs and symptoms in adults:

• Specific medications, such as aspirin and similar pain relievers, antibiotics, and other drugs bought without a prescription
• Intravenous (IV) contrast is implemented in many imaging tests.
• Latex
• Stings from hornets, fire ants, bees, wasps, etc.

Although not witnessed widely, a few people can develop anaphylaxis symptoms from aerobic exercises like jogging. Some individuals have experienced anaphylaxis after consuming specific foods, especially before exercising or during a workout in extreme weather conditions. Therefore, you can consider consulting with a certified healthcare provider to summarise precautions when exercising.

How is Anaphylaxis Diagnosed?

The severity and nature of anaphylaxis signs and symptoms determine the diagnostic procedure. Doctors primarily give blood tests to confirm the need for diagnosis. When a person is exposed to allergic triggers, mast cells, a vital component of the immune system, release the chemical tryptase. In anaphylaxis, the tryptase levels rise in blood within one hour and may stay elevated for hours to days. Therefore, a raised tryptase level can help substantiate that someone is suffering from anaphylaxis.

Tryptase blood test results offer a delayed outcome, rendering them unsuitable for diagnosing ongoing anaphylaxis. However, at times, this test can prove to be useful after the patient has received the initial emergency medications. Doctors must distinguish anaphylaxis from similar conditions like septic shock, severe blood infection, or a serious asthma attack to ensure proper treatment.

Other critical conditions may also appear similar at first, leading people to mistakenly assume they are anaphylaxis. These include non-allergic urticaria, fainting, panic attacks, and angioedema. Depending on an individual's symptoms, the doctor may prescribe other tests as well to look for these underlying conditions.

Anaphylaxis Treatment

When a person witnesses the anaphylaxis symptoms (as stated above), they should visit a physician immediately. Doctors can promptly begin epinephrine treatment. Once they inject the epinephrine, the symptoms may begin to fade.

At times, doctors may instruct the patient to remain in the emergency room to monitor and treat recurring symptoms.

When to See a Doctor?

A person must seek emergency medical assistance if they, their child or someone they know is suffering from anaphylaxis symptoms. Doctors particularly advise not to wait for the symptoms to fade away.

If you are aware of the possibilities and thus already carry an epinephrine auto-injector, then you must use it the right way. Although the injection can provide temporary relief, you still have to consult a doctor to ensure the problems do not recur. If a second allergic reaction occurs, it is medically termed as biphasic anaphylaxis.

Managing and diagnosing anaphylaxis in the long term can be complex. Hence, you may need to consult a health specialist renowned for treating allergies.

Prevention of Anaphylaxis

The most optimal way to restrict the effects of anaphylaxis is to avoid the foreign substances that cause allergies. Additionally, you may:

• Wear a Medical Alert Bracelet or Necklace : It can offer time-to-time reminders that you have an allergic reaction to particular drugs or substances.
• Inform Your Medicine Providers About Your Existing Conditions : Making sure that all your medicine providers are alert to your situation is necessary to avoid repeated anaphylactic shocks.
• Carefully Read the Labels of Foods Before Consuming : If you have food allergies, it is recommended to go through the labels before consuming. As manufacturing procedures keep changing, one must periodically recheck the labels of food items that they regularly consume.

Final Words

Overall, to minimise your susceptibility to anaphylaxis symptoms, it is crucial to reduce your exposure to all potential allergens. The bright part is that prompt medical attention is proven effective for the management of these emergencies. Therefore, you do not have to panic, as long as you have the epinephrine injectors as and when needed.