Anaphylaxis resident survival guide
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Vidit Bhargava, M.B.B.S [2]
Definition
An acute, severe, potentially life threatening type 1 hypersensitivity reaction, following repeated exposure to an allergen to which an individual is already sensitised.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Any of the factors precipitating anaphylaxis can be life threatening.
- Food: Peanuts, Tree nuts, walnuts, pecans, milk, soyabean, wheat, eggs, pistachios, filberts, cashews, almonds, etc.
- Shellfish: crab, crayfish, prawns, shrimp, lobster, etc.
- Medications: Penicillin, Sulfa antibiotics, Allopurinol, and many other drugs
- Diagnostic materials: IV contrast material and dyes
- Insect venom: including bees, wasps, ants
- Natural rubber latex
- Idiopathic/ Coital anaphylaxis
Diagnostic Criteria
It is diagnosed with one of the following criteria:[1]
♦ Acute onset of a reaction (mins to hours) involving skin, mucous membrane or both. Additionally including atleast one of the following:
- Respiratory compromise or
- Cardiovascular compromise/Evidence of end organ dysfunction.
♦ 2 or more of the following in a patient known to come in contact with an established allergen:
- Skin/mucosal tissue involvement
- Respiratory compromise
- Reduced blood pressure
- Gastrointestinal manifestations
♦ Reduced blood pressure after exposure to a known allergen.
References
- ↑ Sampson, HA.; Muñoz-Furlong, A.; Campbell, RL.; Adkinson, NF.; Bock, SA.; Branum, A.; Brown, SG.; Camargo, CA.; Cydulka, R. (2006). "Second symposium on the definition and management of anaphylaxis: summary report--Second National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease/Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network symposium". J Allergy Clin Immunol. 117 (2): 391–7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2005.12.1303. PMID 16461139. Unknown parameter
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