Anaphylactic shock (anaphylaxis) is a sudden reaction that may occur in an allergic person in certain situations – most often after eating foods (seafood, peanuts), taking medication or being given an antibiotic (especially penicillin), being stung by an insect, or undergoing desensitization treatment. The occurrence of anaphylactic shock is life-threatening, so it is important to know its symptoms and what to do in such a situation.
Symptoms of anaphylactic shock
The symptoms of anaphylactic shock occur suddenly and subside just as rapidly with treatment. The reaction may vary in severity – the most dangerous is the so-called full-blown syndrome, which threatens the allergic person’s life. It includes symptoms such as:
- feeling unwell
- paleness
- itching of the hands and feet spreading throughout the body
- loss of consciousness
- rapid, shallow breathing
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- imperceptible pulse
- significantly lowered blood pressure
- sweating
- cold limbs
Fortunately, the full-blown syndrome is rare. Usually, the symptoms are less severe, including:
- redness and hives covering the body
- itching
- swelling of the face and mucous membranes (difficulty swallowing)
- shortness of breath
- possible attacks of bronchial asthma
- slightly lowered blood pressure
Paramedic Michał Wieczorek, in the video “What to Do When an Allergic Person Loses Consciousness?”, lists the most common symptoms of anaphylactic shock, including progressive shortness of breath, a hot flush, weakness, swelling and rashes around the face and neck.
What should an allergic person do?
First of all, an allergic person should not ignore the symptoms or wait for the discomfort to pass on its own. It is important to realize that anaphylactic shock progresses very rapidly and may lead to loss of consciousness. “In such a situation, the patient should immediately take an antihistamine themselves, for example Zyrtec. People at risk of shock usually carry such medication with them and know its basic effects, but they do not realize the role that time plays,” notes Dr. Andrzej Posz, MD, PhD.Andrzej Posz.
However, that is not all. It is important to seek help early enough – from a family member or neighbor. You should quickly call an ambulance – medical assistance is essential! According to the paramedic, it is much better to go to the injured person and check that everything is all right than not to receive such a call at all. When the ambulance arrives, you must tell the paramedics that you are allergic and what you are allergic to. It is also advisable to provide the telephone contact details of someone who can give more information about the illness.
Depending on the factor that caused the anaphylactic shock, you can help yourself in the following ways before the paramedics arrive:
- shock caused by an insect sting:
- cool the stung area
- if an arm or leg has been stung, immobilize it, because movement will cause the poison to spread through the body more quickly
- avoid unnecessary exertion
- lie down to avoid falling in the event of loss of consciousness
- if you are severely weak, raising your legs will help
- stay calm – this will regulate your breathing
- use an inhaler and wait for the medicine to take effect
- unbutton your clothing – it will make breathing easier
- ensure access to fresh air, for example by asking someone to open a window
- if you experience shortness of breath and a dry mouth, wetting your lips with water may help
First aid for an allergic person
If an allergic person has lost consciousness because of anaphylactic shock, rapid action is important, namely:
- immediately end contact with the allergen, for example stop administering the medication
- constant monitoring of basic vital functions (checking whether the person is breathing)
- placing the injured person in the recovery position
- calling an ambulance
In the video “Every Second Counts – Anaphylactic Shock”, paramedics demonstrate, using a specific example, the complete procedure for responding when an ambulance is called for a person who has lost consciousness and is diagnosed with anaphylactic shock.
Medical assistance
When paramedics arrive at the injured person, they ask them, if conscious, what conditions they have and what medication they take. It is also important to know whether anything similar has happened in the past. In milder cases, hydrocortisone and calcium are used. In advanced shock, adrenaline is administered subcutaneously and antihistamines intramuscularly. As a precaution, people prone to anaphylaxis should always carry a first-aid kit containing adrenaline. “People allergic to insects (especially beekeepers), everyone who has experienced an episode of shock, patients with unstable asthma, and some allergy patients undergoing desensitization should carry syringes with the medication. Until recently, only Western preparations such as Anapen and similar products were available (at a price of PLN 200–300), but adrenaline in a prefilled syringe can now be purchased by prescription for just under PLN 30,” explains Dr. Andrzej Posz, MD, PhD.
Allergist’s advice
Dr. Wojciech Kaniuk, MD, PhD, who is a Representative of the Medical Community, offered several valuable pieces of advice for allergic people:
- People at risk of anaphylactic shock, most often caused by insect bites, should obtain an anti-shock kit containing an adrenaline syringe and always carry at least two allergy tablets with them. They should also be trained to use prefilled syringes or adrenaline auto-injectors
- People allergic to medication should ask an allergist to write the names of those medications on a card or leaflet. It is advisable to laminate this description and show it whenever they come into contact with a doctor, nurse or paramedic
- In the case of food allergies, you need to know the names of the foods that cause the allergy – also in several foreign languages. This is particularly important for the country where you spend your holiday.
- You should inform travel companions, household members and roommates about your tendency to experience an acute allergic reaction when in contact with the allergen. It is always better to prevent such a reaction than to rely on rapid, professional assistance in dramatic circumstances
According to paramedic Michał Wieczorek, it is important that people can recognize the symptoms of anaphylactic shock themselves and know how to act in such a situation. This knowledge may save the life of more than one allergic person.
information Anna Włoszek and Dariusz Młynarczyk
Medical consultation: Dr. Wojciech Kaniuk, MD, PhD, and Dr. Andrzej Posz, MD, PhD
This article is published as part of the series “Everything You Want to Know About Allergy,” in cooperation with the video portal www.JaAlergik.pl as part of the nationwide “Don’t Let Allergy Get You” campaign
Medical consultation was provided by Representatives of the Medical Community: Dr. Wojciech Kaniuk, MD, PhD, and Dr. Andrzej Posz, MD, PhD, as part of the “My Allergist” program