Anaphylasis conclusions

Conclusions

• Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. To minimise associated mortality and morbidity, rapid recognition of signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis is essential.
• Timely treatment should focus on the early administration of adrenaline. Where possible, patients with anaphylaxis should initiate treatment themselves during an exacerbation of the illness.
• Emergency staff should be aware of their responsibilities to provide appropriate information to patients to aid self-management of the condition.

Acronyms

ABCDE: airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure

ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme

AVPU: alert, verbal commands, pain, unresponsive

DH: Department of Health

HIV: human immunodeficiency virus

IgE: immunoglobulin E

RCUK: Resuscitation Council (UK)

NICE: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Glossary

Anaphylaxis: an acute allergic reaction to an antigen, such as a bee sting, to which the body has become hypersensitive.

Angioedema: also known as Quincke’s oedema and angioneurotic oedema, is the rapid swelling (oedema) of the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, mucosa and submucosal tissues. It is very similar to urticaria, but urticaria, commonly known as hives, occurs in the upper dermis.

Biphasic episode of anaphylaxis: after complete recovery from anaphylaxis, a recurrence of symptoms within 72 hours with no further exposure to the allergen. It is managed in the same way as anaphylaxis.

Catamenial anaphylaxis: a syndrome of hypersensitivity induced by endogenous progesterone secretion. Patients may exhibit a cyclic pattern of attacks during the premenstrual part of the cycle.

Hypotension: abnormally low blood pressure.

Idiopathic anaphylaxis: denotes a form of anaphylaxis where no identifiable stimulus can be found. All known causes of anaphylaxis must be excluded before this diagnosis can be reached.

Ischaemic: an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the cardiac muscles.

Oedema: a condition characterised by an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body.

Paraesthesia: an abnormal sensation, typically tingling or pricking (‘pins and needles’), caused chiefly by pressure on or damage to peripheral nerves.

Piloerection: involuntary erection or bristling of hairs due to a sympathetic reflex usually triggered by cold, shock or fright or due to a sympathomimetic agent.

Sting: a small sharp-pointed organ at the end of the abdomen of bees, wasps, ants, and scorpions, capable of inflicting a painful or dangerous wound by injecting poison.

Tunnel vision: defective sight in which objects cannot be properly seen if not close to the centre of the field of view.

Urticaria: another name for hives. Raised, itchy areas of skin that are usually a sign of an allergic reaction.

Vertigo: a sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated particularly with looking down from a great height, or caused by disease affecting the inner ear or the vestibular nerve; giddiness.

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