#anaphilaxis

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Prompt assessment and management are critically important. Clinical symptoms of anaphilaxis have a tendency to accelerate gradually. An anaphylactic episode is exhibited by the following reactions:

Skin, subcutaneous tissue and mucosa:

Flushing, itching, utricaria (itching, hives-elevated patches of skin), angioedema (localized swelling), morbilliform rash, pilor erection

Periorbital itching, erythema (rash) and edema, conjunctival erythema, tearing

Itching of lips, tongue, palate and external auditory canals; swelling of lips, tongue and uvula

Itching of genitalia, palms and soles

Respiratory

Nasal itching, congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing

Throat itching and tightness, dysphonia, hoarseness, stridor, dry staccato cough

Lower airways: increased respiratory rate, shortness of breath, chest tightness, deep cough, wheezing

Cyanosis

Respiratory arrest

Bronchospasm - respiratory distress, wheezing

Gastrointenstinal

Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia

Cardiovascualr system

Chest pain

Tachycardia, bradycardia (less common), other arythmias, palpitations

Hypotension, feeling faint, urinary or fecal incontinence, shock

Cardiac arrest

Central nervous sustem

Aura od impending doom, uneasiness, altrered mental status, dizziness, confusion, tunnel vision

Other

Metallic taste in the mouth

Cramps and bleeding to uterine contractions in females

The pattern (onset, number, and course) of symptoms and signs differs from one patient to another, and even in the same patient from one anaphylactic episode to another. At the beginning of an episode, it can be difficult to predict the rate of progression or the ultimate severity. Fatality can occur within minutes

The progression of symptoms is:

1. Skin

2. Eyes, nose, AGI

3. Respiratory system

4. Cardiovascular system