What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is potentially life threatening. Anaphylaxis should be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment.
The key features of anaphylaxis are:
Signs and symptoms
Anaphylaxis occurs after exposure to an allergen (foods like nuts, egg, milk, insect stings or some medicines). Occasionally the person is unaware of the allergy. It results in potentially life-threatening symptoms, which include:
In some cases, anaphylaxis is preceded by less dangerous allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
Several factors can influence the severity of anaphylaxis, including asthma, exercise, heat, and alcohol.
Anaphylaxis Guidelines
Downloadable forms