| Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, and can | | | | sufferer may also become flushed, develop hives |
| be caused by many different things. The four | | | | or even become unconscious. The most |
| most common allergies that result in anaphylaxis | | | | dangerous symptom is the swelling around the |
| come from allergies to food, latex or rubber, | | | | throat which can cause the airway to become |
| insect bites, and medications. Anaphylaxis can | | | | restricted. Because of this swelling, rescue |
| cause horrible rashes and swelling, or may also | | | | breathing - which is the part of CPR where one |
| cause shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, | | | | person helps the other person breathe - may not |
| and anxiety. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening. If not | | | | be successful. |
| treated within minutes of the allergic reaction, it | | | | Treating: Because every bee sting and stray |
| does have the potential to be fatal. Severe | | | | peanut in a cookie cannot always be foreseen, it |
| allergies are very serious and require medical | | | | is absolutely necessary to carry an emergency |
| treatment and maintenance. | | | | anaphylaxis kit. This will contain the medication |
| A persons immune system tends to react in 2 | | | | needed to counteract the allergy. In most cases, |
| ways when he/she has food allergy. The body | | | | this medication is epinephrine, and it can be easily |
| may or may not respond to the use of mast | | | | injected into the arm or leg. Make sure that the |
| cells. The mast cells can be found in any part of | | | | people that surround you also know how to inject |
| the body but it is most likely to be found in eyes, | | | | the epinephrine, in case you lose consciousness |
| skin, lungs, and throat and especially in the areas | | | | and cannot do it yourself. |
| of gastrointestinal system. The other kind of | | | | There are many different types of anaphylactic |
| response is by the releasing of immunoglobulin E | | | | emergency kits you can choose from, but all |
| by the body. These antibodies travel across the | | | | require proper handling and dosage from your |
| blood system. Then it causes the discharge of the | | | | doctor. TwinJet and EpiPen are examples of |
| chemical histamine which in turn causes the allergic | | | | auto-injectors of epinephrine that are easy to use |
| reactions to activate in the body parts that were | | | | for people of all ages. The problem with many |
| mentioned above. | | | | kits, however, is that they are easily lost or |
| Anaphylaxis is derived from the words phylaxis | | | | misplaced. If you find yourself often misplacing |
| and ana which mean protection and back in Greek. | | | | your kit, you might need a TwinJet or EpiPen |
| The abrupt response for this allergy is greater in | | | | holder. This will help guarantee that you will always |
| degree strength than the normal allergy that can | | | | have your epinephrine treatment when you need |
| be vital to the sufferer. Main causes for | | | | it most. |
| anaphylaxis are the latex which is in contact with | | | | Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock are both |
| the skin, insect stings, food anaphylaxis and | | | | dangerous, possibly life threatening situations. Be |
| medications. There may be even unknown causes. | | | | familiar with the symptoms of this dangerous |
| Symptoms of anaphylaxis include trouble | | | | condition so that you can recognize if someone is |
| breathing, low blood pressure, itching, and swelling | | | | suffering anaphylaxis and you can get this person |
| of the mouth, face, neck and throat. The allergy | | | | the allergy treatment they need. |