Anaphylaxis

Question 1

Symptoms of anaphylaxis

Answer 1

Widespread flushing of the skin
Nettle rash (otherwise known as hives or urticaria)
Swelling of the skin (known as angioedema) anywhere on the body.
Swelling of the lips
Chest tightness
Trouble breathing 
Feeling of impending doom 
Wheezing
Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting

The most dangerous symptoms are low blood pressure, breathing difficulty and loss of consciousness, all of which can be fatal.

Question 2

Uniphasic vs Biphasic

Answer 2

Uniphasic – these come on quickly and symptoms get rapidly worse, but once treated, the symptoms go and don’t return.
Bi-phasic – these are reactions which may be mild or severe to start with, followed by a period of time when there are no symptoms, and then increasing symptoms with breathing and blood-pressure problems.

Question 3

Foods that cause the majority of life-threatening reactions

Answer 3

peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnut, cashew, Brazil nut), shellfish, fish, milk and eggs.

Question 4

Antihistamines and corticosteroids are good substitutes for epinephrine in treating anaphylaxis.
True/False

Answer 4

False. Antihistamines and corticosteroids can sometimes used in addition to epinephrine, but these medications are not a substitute for epinephrine.