1 | What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially fatal, allergic reaction to a foreign substance, such as a food, medication, or insect venom.
2 | What are the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis?
The signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis can vary but typically include hives, itching, swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fainting.
3 | What are the most common triggers of anaphylaxis?
The most common triggers of anaphylaxis are foods, medications, insect venom, and latex.
4 | Can anaphylaxis be prevented?
Anaphylaxis can be prevented by avoiding known triggers and by carrying an epinephrine auto-injector, such as an EpiPen, at all times.
5 | What should I do if I think I am having an anaphylactic reaction?
If you think you are having an anaphylactic reaction, you should immediately use your epinephrine auto-injector, if you have one, and seek emergency medical care.
6 | What is an epinephrine auto-injector?
An epinephrine auto-injector is a device that injects a premeasured dose of epinephrine (adrenaline) into the body to treat an anaphylactic reaction.
7 | How long does an anaphylactic reaction last?
An anaphylactic reaction typically lasts for 30 minutes or less, but in some cases, it can last for several hours.
8 | What is the difference between anaphylaxis and a severe allergic reaction?
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially fatal, allergic reaction, while a severe allergic reaction is an allergic reaction that causes symptoms but is not life threatening.
9 | Is there a cure for anaphylaxis?
At this time, there is no cure for anaphylaxis. However, it can be managed with medications and lifestyle modifications.
10 | How is anaphylaxis treated?
Anaphylaxis is treated with medications, such as epinephrine, antihistamines, and corticosteroids, and lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding known triggers and carrying an epinephrine auto-injector.