Anaphylactic shock
ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK
Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction that disrupts the functioning of the entire body. For sensitive individuals, this reaction can start within seconds or minutes after contact with the triggering factor and can be fatal.
Classification and Causes
Possible causative factors of anaphylactic shock include:
• Contact of certain substances with the skin or entry into the respiratory tract.
• Injection of a specific medication.
• Insect sting.
• Food (e.g., peanuts, citrus fruits, chocolate).
During an anaphylactic reaction, chemical substances are released into the blood that dilate blood vessels and narrow the airways. Arterial blood pressure drops suddenly, breathing is impaired. The tongue and throat may swell, increasing the risk of hypoxia (lack of oxygen). The amount of oxygen reaching the organs decreases significantly.
Recognition
The clinical presentation of anaphylaxis can vary. It depends on the location of the substance (trigger) entry, the speed, and the individual’s ability to react to the antigen. Clinical symptoms can be conditionally classified by systems:
• cardiovascular (drop in blood pressure, tachycardia);
• respiratory (severe shortness of breath);
• skin (rash);
• gastrointestinal (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting).
The first signs of the disease usually appear within a few seconds or minutes after contact with the triggering factor (e.g., after an insect bite), but they can also occur later (within 2 hours). Clinical symptoms can be distorted by concomitant diseases (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), clinical conditions (hypovolemia, anesthesia), and medications (beta-adrenergic blockers).
Symptoms
• Anxiety.
• Shortness of breath.
• Redness of the skin, hives.
• Swelling of the face, eyelids, tongue.
• Abdominal pain.
• Shock (see above).
First Aid
Objectives
• Organize urgent transportation to the hospital.
• In the event of anaphylactic shock, it is necessary to promptly administer epinephrine (adrenaline). Until specialized help arrives, the priority is to ease breathing and prevent the shock from progressing.
Actions
1. Call emergency medical services at 112. Provide all information about the victim. If possible, gather information about the possible triggering factor and remove it.
2. Check if the victim has necessary medications (a regular or auto-injector with epinephrine). If available, assist them in using it. If the victim is unable to self-administer the medication but you know how to do it, administer it yourself.
3. If the person is conscious, place them in a comfortable position. If there is difficulty breathing, sit them up. If the victim feels weakness, dizzy, lay them down and elevate their legs above their head. Reassure them.
4. Recognize and treat shock.