TREATING ANAPHYLAXIS

Anaphylaxis is a severe and often life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur within minutes or even seconds of exposure to an allergen including a food, medication, or insect sting. Anaphylaxis causes the immune system to release a surge of chemicals that make your body go into shock. It must be treated with a shot of epinephrine followed by a trip to the emergency room in case of a secondary reaction known as biphasic anaphylaxis. If you don’t have epinephrine on hand, get to the emergency room immediately. You may also receive oxygen, intravenous antihistamines or cortisone, and a beta-agonist. Follow up with a specialist in allergies and immunology since anaphylactic reactions are likely to reoccur after another exposure.

P.S. When an insect sting triggers an anaphylactic reaction, immunotherapy may prevent a severe reaction in the future by reducing the body’s allergic response.

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