Home > Allergy Education > anaphylaxis

World Allergy Week [Anaphylactic Shock] Severe cases can turn deadly in 15 minutes

Many people in Hong Kong may have allergies, but not everyone has heard of "anaphylactic shock". Patients will experience symptoms such as swelling and difficulty in breathing. In severe cases, it can be fatal even within 15 minutes. It is more prevalent in children and may need the use of epinephrine for first aid management.

In developed countries, 1 out of 2 adults has allergies and 50% of anaphylactic shocks are caused by food allergies and drug allergies. After exposure to allergens, cells will release inflammatory factors, causing leakage and dilation of microfilament blood vessels, resulting in acute allergic reactions.

Early symptoms of anaphylactic shock include swelling of the lips and tongue as well as paralysis and swelling of the eyes and face; In a latter phase, difficulty in breathing, loss of consciousness, and even death can occur.

Anaphylactic shock occurs more often in children and may not appear until after several meals. Parents can perform food allergy testing on toddlers by giving small amounts of food during the first few feedings.

How to deal with anaphylactic shock?

Check the patient's breathing and blood circulation and proceed to letting them lie down or raise their legs to allow the flowing of the blood to the heart. Because anaphylactic shock is enough to kill a patient as short as within 15 minutes, it is recommended that people with allergies ask the doctor for a single-dose epinephrine prescription for them to carry it around. Hence, when breathing is difficult, it can be injected into the thigh to help relax the tracheal muscles for life-saving purposes.

• 

  Meddx Allergy

  The Hong Kong Allergy Test Centre provides a series of clinically proven allergy solutions, dedicated to allergen testing services and allergy prevention products. Our products and services include IgE Blood Allergy Test - Quick Sensitivity Test/Faber/Ailergy, Skin Prick Test for Infants, Skin Patch Test and Anti-Mite Beddings.

  Website