Anaphylaxis - Causes and Signs of Anaphylaxis

Depending on the type of allergen, there are several reactions. Among them:

• to food;
• to medications (for example, non-steroidal, narcotic);
• to anesthesia during surgery;
• to fauna and flora;
• to physical activity.

Causes

The main cause of the disease is an allergen, which can be any medical drug or its component, food, animal hair, poison, plant pollen. In some cases, the disease may not manifest itself at the first contact with a possible antigen, but it develops quite quickly with repeated interaction. The pathology is likely to result from the irritant entering the blood and entering into micro-interaction with immunoglobulin, as a result of which histamine is released and an inflammatory process is formed.

Anaphylaxis in people with chronic pathology can be caused by narcotic and non-steroidal drugs, contrast substances. It is closely related to allergic reactions, because patients with manifestations of allergies can often develop anaphylactic shock.

Symptoms

The disease manifests itself as redness and swelling at the site of drug administration or insect bite, severe pain, generalized itching of the skin.

Bronchospasm and laryngeal edema may occur, as a result of which breathing becomes difficult or even stops altogether. The skin is initially pale, and then acquires a bluish tint. Nausea, vomiting, sharp pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, and sudden hypotension are observed. Loss of consciousness is possible.

Diagnostics

An allergist can diagnose the disease by analyzing complaints (if the patient is conscious) about swelling, puffiness, severe pain, itching of the entire skin surface and its redness, nausea.

It is necessary to study the patient's medical history - the presence of drug intolerance, food allergies, anaphylactic conditions in the past, intolerance in relatives.

An objective examination should be carried out - the presence of rashes, skin color and oral mucosa, discharge from the eyes or lacrimation, redness of the dermis and its swelling. The patient may react inadequately to current events, be unconscious, inhibited or, conversely, anxious.

A test is performed for IgE – antibodies of protein molecules that are responsible for the occurrence of atopy. It is used to detect a potentially dangerous agent at a time when the patient has no manifestations of the disease.

Dermatological allergy tests are performed – an irritant is applied to the epidermis in a small amount in order to determine individual sensitivity to various substances. It is carried out during the period when the patient has no signs of the disease.

A clinical blood test is performed, which can reveal an increased number of eosinophils - blood cells that participate in the development of atopic inflammation.

If the affected person is unconscious, all vital functions are examined: blood pressure is measured, an electrocardiogram is recorded.

Treatment

The rate of development and severity of symptoms require immediate medical intervention. During therapy, it is important to:

• Avoid contact with a substance that the immune system perceives as foreign.
• Administer adrenaline, which will relax the smooth muscles of the body, gradually restoring blood circulation and breathing. People with a history of anaphylactic shock should carry an ampoule of adrenaline.
• Administer glucocorticosteroids (intramuscularly, intravenously or orally). They reduce the manifestations of the disease, reduce the signs of atopic inflammation, increase blood pressure, relieve swelling, normalize cardiac activity and respiration.
• Take antihistamines. They are prescribed after glucocorticosteroids, they continue to reduce inflammation.

Treatment of anaphylaxis at home is strictly prohibited. It is necessary to understand that this pathology is a serious disease. Therefore, the patient should be urgently hospitalized.

Prevention

To prevent this disease, it is imperative to exclude contact with the antigen and other provoking factors, and use medications in a timely manner. Patients should always have anti-allergy medications in their home medicine cabinet.