When a person reacts to an allergen in a way that is extreme, we term this reaction Anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a very serious medical condition and can indeed lead to death if not treated immediately. Anaphylaxis can take place mere seconds after an individual is exposed to an allergen or in the case of ingested allergens, it can take place within two hours. It is characterized by a sudden and incredibly severe reaction to an allergen in the body that involves various areas of the body like the skin, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and the cardiovascular system.
This type of reaction requires immediate medical attention and presents with symptoms that can include an inability to breathe, swelling of the face, lips and tongue, a rapid drop in blood pressure, dizziness, hives, unconsciousness, tightness in the throat, light-headedness and a hoarse voice. Fortunately, the occurrences of cases that are so severe that they are life-threatening are found in only a small group of children and few adults. In truth, the incidence of anaphylactic shock/reactions is minimal, with about 30 experiencing the condition out of every 100,000 people. Those with asthma, hay fever or eczema however, are significantly more at risk of encountering them. The majority of anaphylactic reactions, in fact up to 80% of all reported reactions, are caused by ingesting peanuts or nuts of some kind.
|
