Preventing Anaphylaxis in Murray & West Jordan, UT
Anaphylaxis, a dangerous allergic reaction, happens to some people with allergies and can be life-threatening without treatment and adequate preparation. At Allergy Associates of Utah in Murray and West Jordan, Utah, Andrew Smith, MD, MS, and Tara Sarin, MD, can equip you for anaphylaxis and help you become familiar with the symptoms. To take an allergy test and assess your risk for anaphylaxis, call Allergy Associates of Utah, or book an appointment online today.
What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a complication of severe allergies that can put your life at risk. In the event of anaphylaxis, the way you react is vital. You need to seek medical attention right away, but Dr. Smith and Dr. Sarin can help you prepare for anaphylaxis with life-saving medications that you should carry with you at all times.
When you have allergies, your immune system overreacts to something in your environment. It could be a food, airborne substance, or material. For some people, coming into contact with an allergen causes their immune system to release many chemicals at once that cause their bodies to go into shock. This is what causes anaphylaxis.
What are the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis?
The symptoms of anaphylaxis vary between individuals and can be widespread throughout your entire body. On average, the symptoms start in as little as five minutes and as long as one hour after you come into contact with your allergen. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- Throat swelling
- Chest tightness
- Other areas of swelling
- Rashes, hives, and welts
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of consciousness
- Breathing problems
- Drop in blood pressure
- A weak and fast pulse
At Allergy Associates of Utah, Dr. Smith and Dr. Sarin explore the symptoms of your previous allergy attack or assess your medical history in order to determine if you’re at risk of anaphylaxis during an allergic reaction. They help you create an action plan to use during future reactions to prevent or treat anaphylactic symptoms.
What should I do in the event of anaphylaxis?
You can minimize your chances of anaphylaxis by avoiding your allergens to the best of your ability. To do so, you need to identify your allergen first. Dr. Smith and Dr. Sarin can help you do this with allergy testing.
If you’re at risk for anaphylaxis, they may give you an epinephrine auto-injector to carry with you at all times. The device is similar to a syringe but has a hidden needle. They teach you to press it against your thigh, which delivers a single dose of epinephrine to your bloodstream. You should also make sure that people close to you know how to use the device.
During anaphylaxis, you should get to a hospital as soon as you can. There, you may receive oxygen, intravenous antihistamines or cortisone, and other medications to counteract the reaction.
To avoid anaphylaxis from allergies in the future, Dr. Smith and Dr. Sarin might recommend allergy shots or immunotherapy to build up your tolerance to the allergen.
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