What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock is a condition caused by a sudden allergic reaction, where the body's immune system severely overreacts to something that it thinks is a foreign body, resulting in an acute, severe allergic reaction needing immediate medical attention. Allergy, in one form or another, now affects at least 40% of the population at some point in their lives and more potential allergens are emerging every day. For about 2% of the population these allergies are potentially fatal. The reaction may be very mild inducing a headache, itching and feeling slightly unwell. More severe reactions can cause red, inflamed areas on your skin, weakness, dizziness, swelling of the face and lips and eventually loss of consciousness and even death. An injection of adrenaline is the best treatment you can have for a serious reaction. Your doctor should explain to you the symptoms and signs then warn you that you need adrenaline.

Anaphylaxis - triggers

allergy to fish

Anaphylaxis can be triggered by:

  • A wide range of foods, but the most common culprits are:
    • peanuts
    • tree nuts (such as almonds, brazils, hazelnut, cashew and walnut)
    • sesame seeds
    • fish
    • shellfish
    • eggs
    • dairy products
    • wheat
  • Stings from bees, wasps and other insects
  • Latex
  • Prescribed medicine, for example penicillin

allergy to nuts

Symptoms of anaphylaxis

These usually occur within minutes of exposure to a trigger

  • Itching or a strange metallic taste in the mouth
  • Swelling of the throat and tongue
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Hives anywhere on the body
  • Generalised flushing of the skin
  • Abdominal cramps and nausea
  • Increased heart rate
  • Sudden feeling of weakness or floppiness
  • Collapse and unconsciousness

Protection and comfort

When someone is at risk of anaphylaxis, a doctor will prescribe medication for use in the event of an allergic reaction which will often include a preloaded injector pen containing adrenaline. Adrenaline is a life saver in allergy emergencies, because it stimulates the heart, eases breathing and calms severe swelling.

ANAPEN contains 0.3mg of adrenaline (the adult pen) and enables the person suffering from anaphylaxis to administer their own injection in an emergency. ANAPEN is now widely available in the UK on the standard NHS Prescription. The image on the right illustrates how the ANAPEN works.

For more information about how ANAPEN works, select from the options on the left menu bar. The links page also contains some useful resources.

 ANAPEN auto injector

 

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