Anaphylaxis is the most serious form of an allergic reaction that, if not treated instantly, can become life-threatening. It generally occurs within 20 minutes to two hours from contact with an allergen, anaphylaxis necessitates crucial medical attention. Often affecting more than one body system, it can cause numerous life-threatening symptoms without pre-emptive measures in place.
Anaphylaxis can be prompted by a range of allergens, which vary from person to person. From food allergies to insect stings, medication and even bites, anaphylaxis can be stimulated from a range of sources. In some cases, simply the smell of the allergen can result in an individual having an anaphylaxis reaction.
Some common allergens include:
- Food (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy)
- Venom from bites and stings (bee, wasp and ants)
- Medications
- Other (latex, exercise or non-identifiable causes)
If you know someone who can suffer from an anaphylactic reaction, it’s serious that you remove the allergen from their daily life. This will help decrease the prospect of an anaphylactic reaction occurring.
Similarly to allergens, symptoms can be tremendously varied from one person to another. Individuals facing anaphylaxis can have both understated and life-threatening symptoms, within minutes of being exposed to their allergen.
Some of these symptoms can include:
- Skin reactions (hives, itching, rashes, flushed or pale skin)
- Low blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing caused by a constriction of airways (swollen tongue or throat)
- A weak or rapid pulse
- Nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Dizziness, fainting or unconsciousness
- Wheezing or a persistent cough
Make sure that you can keep your office or workspace safe, and that someone is trained should an emergency arise.