Anaphylaxis: Know more about this serious allergic reaction

Any person will never realize if he/she is allergic to a kind of food unless and until they have consumed the food allergen. For the reaction to happen and create a symptom it requires a certain quantity of food.

Anaphylaxis and allergy caused by food are related closely. A person could develop an allergic reaction to the food which is related closely to the original allergy that he/she has. An allergy, say, to oysters could lead to allergic reactions when a person takes fish, shrimp, or crabs.

When an individual has a food allergy, a person’s immune system tends to react 2 ways. The body may react to the use of mast cells or not. The mast cells can be found in any part of the body but it is most likely to be found in eyes, skin, lungs, and throat and especially in the areas of the gastrointestinal system. The other kind of response is by the release of immunoglobulin E by the body. These antibodies travel across the blood system. Then it causes the discharge of the chemical histamine which in turn causes the allergic reactions to activate in the body parts that were mentioned above. Anaphylaxis is the abrupt response for the allergy which is greater in degree stronger than the normal allergy that can be vital to the sufferer. An Allergy Testing Specialist Near Orland Park can help in treating this serious allergic reaction. The main causes of anaphylaxis are the latex which is in contact with the skin, insect stings, food anaphylaxis, and medications. There may be even unknown causes. Anaphylaxis involves the reaction, like in allergy caused by food, of different body parts. The main difference is that only a limited amount of allergen and intensity of the response is required for this reaction to happen. 

Anaphylaxis could come about by the skin contact, inhalation of (food) aroma, food, etc. anaphylactic shock is the type of anaphylaxis which is life-threatening. Only a meager amount of allergen is required to cause death to the person within a few minutes of exposure in anaphylactic shock. People who have a bad history of allergy to asthma, eczema, and food are the ones who are in danger of getting this anaphylactic reaction. These reactions are fatally creating a sense of fear. Another group of individuals who are at risk of anaphylaxis is teenagers who are affected by a certain kind of food allergy present, especially in junk foods. This because these teenagers tend to eat outside very often, are experimental, and daring in their new endeavors and so they fail to find the symptoms of this dangerous reaction. To add to these woes teenagers often forget to carry important medications which are caused due to self- consciousness. If you want to go for a consultation with the Allergy Testing Specialist Doctors Near Orland park then you have to book an appointment through PatientMD.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis usually start within minutes to an hour or so after a trigger is exposed. The most common symptoms of anaphylaxis are hives and swelling of the skin, which occur in most cases. Respiratory symptoms often occur and are particularly common in people who also have asthma or other chronic respiratory illness. Extremely low blood pressure also occurs commonly causing lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision, or loss of consciousness (passing out).

• Anaphylaxis can cause symptoms throughout the body:
• Eyes – Itching, tearing, redness, swelling of the skin around the eyes
• Skin – Itching, flushing, hives (urticaria), swelling
• Nose and mouth – Sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, swelling of the tongue, metallic taste
• Lungs and throat – Difficulty in or out of the air, repeated coughing, tightness of the chest, wheezing, increased mucus production, swelling or itching of the throat, heaviness, change of voice, feeling shocked
• Heart and circulation – Dizziness; weakness; fainting; rapid, slow, or irregular heart rate; low blood pressure
• Digestive system – Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea
• Nervous system – anxiety, confusion, an impending sense of doom

A severe form of anaphylaxis brings about a sudden collapse without other obvious symptoms such as hives or flushing. This form of anaphylaxis most commonly occurs after a person is administered a medication into a vein or stung by an insect. Up to 20% of people with anaphylaxis have biphasic anaphylaxis, in which symptoms resolve and then recur without further exposure to the trigger. This can happen after the initial symptoms, several hours after. Rarely, despite treatment anaphylaxis can be prolonged and last for hours or several days.

To prevent or avoid anaphylactic reactions and food allergy diet modifications, proper scrutiny of food labels, specific instructions in orders taken in restaurants and a certain type of medications could help you in minimizing the reaction that takes place. Moreover, the Consultation of the physician is very important and advisable for carrying out an efficient and systematic management plan. This allergy can also be caused by hereditary genes.