Allergic reactions are the immune system’s response to the introduction of a foreign substance that poses a threat to your health, like pollen, bee venom, dust mites, and more.

While allergic reactions may not seem severe at first, the reaction can escalate quickly and become life-threatening, so you need allergic reaction emergency care.

Allergies trigger the immune system to produce antibodies that recognize an allergen as harmful, even when it isn’t. When you interact with an allergen, the immune system’s reaction can cause inflammation on the skin, sinuses, airways, and even the digestive system.

The severity of allergic symptoms varies from one person to another and can range from minor irritation to more severe anaphylaxis. Most allergies are incurable, but with proper medication, you can relieve the allergy symptoms.

Causes of Anaphylaxis

Till today, doctors are in question why some people have allergies. Sometimes, allergies appear to tun in families and can also be inherited. If you have a close family member with allergies, you are at risk of allergic disease.

Although the specific reasons for the development of allergies remain unknown, some substances cause allergic reactions. People with allergies typically are victims of the following substances.

• Pet dander
• Insect bites and bee stings
• Some foods like nuts and shellfish
• Particular medications like penicillin and aspirin
• Certain plants
• Pollen or molds

How to Identify Severe Allergic Reaction?

Anaphylaxis signs and symptoms greatly vary with different people and at different times in the same person. They may also develop quickly from the time of contact with an allergen, and in an hour or so, it could get fatal. The biggest mistake you can make is failing to treat an allergic reaction.

Allergic symptoms depend on the type of allergen involved, and they can range from mild to severe. In severe cases, the allergic reaction leads to anaphylaxis.

Visiting an emergency room near you can alleviate the adverse symptoms of anaphylaxis. The most common symptoms include:

• Coughing, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, wheezing, and an itchy mouth and throat
• Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
• Itchy skin, skin reddening, and red bumps and skin welts
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, chest discomfort, and heart palpitations
• Lower blood pressure, rapid pulses, and loss of consciousness

An allergic reaction is considered a medical emergency when symptoms become more serious, like difficulty breathing or fainting. Also, if several body parts and systems are involved, like vomiting and having a combination of rashes, you need to visit an ER for allergies. These symptoms can cause you to go into a shock, so allergic reaction emergency care at the Express ERs is essential.

When to See a Doctor

See a doctor when you suspect that an allergic reaction causes the symptoms you have and when over-the-county medications do not provide enough relief. If you get new symptoms after taking a particular medication, immediately call the doctor who prescribed the medicine.

For anaphylaxis, immediately call 9-1-1 or your area emergency number for immediate medical help. If you have an epinephrine auto-injector, take a shot right away.

Even if the symptoms improve following an epinephrine injection, go to the nearest emergency room to ensure that symptoms do not return after the injection effects wear off.

If you have a history of a previous severe allergic attack, make an appointment with your doctor. The evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of the long-term anaphylaxis effects can be complicated, so you need a doctor specializing in allergies and immunology.

Follow the following probable life-saving tips as you wait for medical assistance:

• Don’t administer any oral medicine or liquids in case there is difficulty breathing
• Be careful when removing insect stings and debris of bites to prevent releasing more venom into the body. For example, scrap off a bee sting using a nail or credit card instead of using tweezers.
• For severe allergic attacks, lay the person flat with their feet elevated for about 12 inches. Avoid this position if you suspect a neck, leg, or back injury.
• If the person has trouble breathing, avoid putting a pillow below their head.

Even after these first aid precautions, you still need to get to an emergency room after an allergic attack. This is because the symptoms may come back even stronger. Go to the nearest emergency room and stay there for several hours to be sure you have the symptoms under control.