Symptoms Of Anaphylaxis

Symptoms of anaphylaxis usually occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen. Sometimes, however, anaphylaxis can occur half hour or more after exposure. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

Skin reactions, including hives with itching, redness or pale skin (almost always present with anaphylaxis)

Feeling the heat

Feeling of lump in throat

The airway constriction and inflammation of the tongue or throat, which can cause wheezing and difficulty

A sense of impending doom

A weak and rapid pulse

Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

Dizziness or fainting

When to see a doctor

If you, your child or another you must have a severe allergic reaction, call 911 or seek medical attention. If the person attacked is an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen as one EpiPen or Twinject Jr), give it a shot now. Even if the symptoms improve after an emergency injection of epinephrine, a visit to the emergency room is always a need to ensure that symptoms do not return.

If you or your child has an allergy attack or severe signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis in the past, make an appointment to see your doctor. Diagnosis and long-term management of anaphylaxis are complicated, so you probably will need to see a doctor specializing in allergies and immunology.