Anaphylaxis is a life threatening reaction to certain foods, medications, stings, chemicals, latex etc.
What are the signs and symptoms of Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis may present with airway swelling and closure, respiratory failure, cardiac failure, gastrointestinal symptoms or unconsciousness.
How is Anaphylaxis treated?
Immediate administration of Adrenalin is vital for survival. Patients are encouraged to carry their Adrenalin (usually in the form of an Epipen) at all times. Patients should also have a medic alert bracelet and avoid known triggers. Hospitalization to ICU is often necessary.
Patients need no make an active attempt to avoid triggers, and have a clear action plan if exposed to a known trigger. This involves correct reading of food and medicine labels, establishing proper allergen free protocols in places such as school canteens, education of close contacts, and avoidance of risky outdoor activities in the case of insect stings.
Insect venom desensitization decreases the risk of severe reactions after bee / wasp stings.
Patients with food or drug allergies may present with rhinitis, dermatitis or eczema, urticaria, gastrointestinal symptoms or even anaphylaxis.
How is Food or Drug allergy diagnosed?
The physician will usually investigate the patients’ medical history, family medical history as well as conduct a physical exam to identify features of Food or Drug allergy and determine the need for further investigations. This may be in the form of skin prick tests, patch tests or blood tests. An oral food challenge or elimination re-introduction diets may sometimes be necessary.
For severe reactions, avoidance of the implicated food or drug is essential. Consultation with a dietician is sometimes necessary to ensure an adequate diet is still maintained.
Can Food or Drug allergy be cured?
Many patients outgrow their food allergies, specifically those to milk and egg.
Patients may have local reactions only or present with generalized reactions and / or anaphylaxis.
How is Bee / Wasp allergy diagnosed?
The physician will usually investigate the patients’ medical history, family medical history as well as conduct a physical exam to identify features of bee / wasp allergy and determine the need for further investigations. This is usually in the form of blood tests.
Immediate first aid involves removal of the stinger, application of ice, topical or oral antihistamines or steroids. Anaphylaxis is treated with immediate administration of Adrenalin.
Insect venom desensitization decreases the risk of severe reactions after bee / wasp stings.
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