About Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to specific triggers such as foods, medications, insect venom, or latex. It is usually characterised by a sharp drop in blood pressure, urticaria or hives (itchy red or white patches on the skin), and breathing difficulties. Some people also experience difficulty in swallowing or speaking, or a sudden feeling of weakness and even unconsciousness.

This allergic reaction can produce such severe swelling of the air passages that suffocation and death may occur within minutes.
An anaphylactic emergency requires rapid treatment with medication, usually adrenaline.

Anaphylaxis occurs in individuals when they are exposed to an allergen. As the name suggests, an allergen is something that triggers or generates an allergy. An allergen is almost always a protein that is treated by the immune system as a foreign substance. The function of the immune system is to protect the body from foreign invaders. Contact with, or ingestion of this allergen will set off a chain reaction in a person's immune system that may lead to swelling of the airways, loss of blood pressure, and loss of consciousness, resulting in anaphylactic shock.

Some allergic reactions involve only one organ system, such as the respiratory tract or skin. However, in anaphylaxis, multiple systems are usually affected simultaneously. This includes the upper and lower respiratory tracts, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal tract.

In essence, the immune systems of individuals with allergies perceive allergens (e.g., food proteins, medications, insect venom, latex rubber ) as foreign substances to which their bodies are primed or sensitised to react against. Even trace levels of these proteins can cause anaphylactic reactions.

The immune system releases substances that can affect a number of parts of the body:

• Contraction of smooth muscle found in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, which can produce wheezing and gastrointestinal symptoms (cramps, vomiting, nausea, or diarrhoea).
• Vascular (blood vessel) dilation that can cause swelling, hives (urticaria), and a decrease in the fluid volume of blood that can lead to shock

Avoidance of a specific allergen is the cornerstone of management in preventing anaphylaxis. In the event of contact with the offending allergen adrenalin should be administered in accordance with an anaphylaxis action plan developed in association with your doctor. According to Anaphylaxis Australia Inc. research has shown that fatalities more often occur away from home and are associated with either not using or a delay in the use of adrenaline treatment. That’s why it is so important to be prepared by carrying adrenaline at all times.