What is anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis ...

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis (say "anna-full-ax-iss") is a life-threatening allergic reaction. It starts betimes after you are exposed to something to which you are allergic. You may have swelling, itching, or a rash. near people have trouble breathing, a tight feeling in their chest, dizziness, and they have feeling anxious. Other people have stomach cramps, nausea, or diarrhea. a certain people lose consciousness ("pass out")

What causes anaphylaxis?

Many things can cause anaphylaxis. The cause is different for each bodily substance and can be hard to find. near common causes include the following:

* nutritions such as shellfish, nuts, peanuts, provokes and fruits

* Medicines, of the like kind as antibiotics, aspirin, over-the-counter pain relievers, allergy missiles and contrast dye for radiologic procedures

* Latex, or rubber, which is plant in surgical gloves, medical supplies, and many fruitss in your home

* Insect stings, especially from bees, wasps, hornets, golden jackets, sawflies, and fire ants

in what way do I prevent a reaction?

You can do many things to help interrupt a reaction.

* If you have had anaphylaxis, make never-failing your doctor and dentist know and that it is recorded upon your medical chart. Tell them what you are allergic to if you know.

* hold fast an emergency anaphylaxis kit with you at all times. Make indisputable the people around you, like as your family and friends, know for what cause to use it.

* If you are allergic to insect stings, wear protective clothing and insect repulsive when outside.

* Avoid handling or eating fares to which you are allergic. uniform tiny amounts mixed by accident into your viands can cause a reaction. Read the ingredient list onward packaged foods you are going to eat.

* Wear or carry a medical alert bracelet, necklace, or keychain that warns sudden [i]or[/i] unexpected occurrence medical technicians (EMTs) and doctors that you are at risk for anaphylaxis.

* Ask your doctor if you ne desensitization shots

* Ask your doctor if there are other things to which you also might be allergic.

What is in an pressing necessity anaphylaxis kit?

An juncture anaphylaxis kit is what you or the public around you can use if you have a strict allergic reaction. You might ne medical help right away. The kit contains the epinephrine medicine that you inject into your arm or leg (or have a friend inject). Your doctor will prescribe a kit with the right dose of medicine and teach you in what way to use it. Make unfailing your family, friends, and others also know for what cause to use the kit. Sometimes your doctor will number you to keep an antihistamine, like as diphenhydramine (one brand name: Benadryl), in the kit.

for what cause do I treat future anaphylaxis reactions?

Call 911 to obtain emergency medical help, even if you do not be wrought up very sick. Get your anaphylaxis kit. Inject yourself with epinephrine or have someone help. Take an antihistamine if your doctor praises it. If you stop breathing, you may ne CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until help arrives.

What can I count upon after an allergic reaction?

You should cure completely with treatment. Most persons live a normal, full life. You can earn back to your normal activities one time you are feeling better. However, you should have someone stay with you for 24 hours after an attack to make fully convinced another attack does not happen.

Where can I get by heart more information?

Your doctor.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

Telephone: 1-800-822-2762

Web address: www.aaaai.org

nutriment Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network

Telephone: 1-800-929-4040

Web address: www.foodallergy.org/index.html

Medic-Alert Bracelet (medical identification)

Telephone: 1-800-432-5378

Web address: www.medicalert.org

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group