What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis?

Was it anaphylaxis?

• Hi, A few days ago, I had 2 slices of pizza from a restaurant I frequent.  That night, I broke out in hives from head to toe.  Stupidly, the next day I took two bites of the leftover pizza to see if it would have any effect.  Immediately, my mouth started tingling, my lips began swelling, and I started itching again.  I took benadryl and assumed I would be ok.  My rash came back and a few hours later my chest began to feel tight, I was lightheaded, and when I finally looked in the mirror, I could see that my face was swelling up.  By the time I got to the hospital, I was very confused, could barely walk, and was jerking and shaking.  When I saw the doctor, he claimed that since I was still breathing, I had a food intolerance and not an allergy and that it wasn't anaphylaxis.  I told him that I had had trouble breathing before and then he said, 'Oh.  Well, I guess it is an allergy then."  Then he sent me home with steroids and antihistamines to take for a week.  Sorry for the long and drawn-out story but I am very confused.  What are the true symptoms of anaphylaxis?  Do you have to have all of them at the same time to be considered as having anaphylaxis?  Also, is a food intolerance really not that big of a deal when compared to a food allergy?  I hope these questions aren't outside of the scope of what you can answer. Thank you, Samantha

• Answer:

  Hi Samantha I hope this is helpful....  information was taken from http://www.anaphylaxis.ca/en/media/media_kit.html#whatare What is anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis (pronounced anna-fill-axis) is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. An allergen is a substance capable of causing an allergic reaction. Upon first exposure, the immune system treats the allergen as something to be rejected and not tolerated. This process is called sensitization. Re-exposure to the same allergen in the now sensitized individual may result in an allergic reaction that, in its most severe form, is called anaphylaxis. (Source: www.allergysafecommunities.ca) What are the signs of an anaphylactic reaction? An anaphylactic reaction can involve any of the following symptoms, which may appear alone or in any combination, regardless of the triggering allergen: •Skin system: hives, swelling, itching, warmth, redness, rash •Respiratory system (breathing): coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain/tightness, throat tightness, hoarse voice, nasal congestion or hay fever-like symptoms (runny itchy nose and watery eyes, sneezing), trouble swallowing •Gastrointestinal system (stomach): nausea, pain/cramps, vomiting, diarrhea •Cardiovascular system (heart): pale/blue colour, weak pulse, passing out, dizzy/lightheaded, shock •Other: anxiety, feeling of "impending doom", headache, uterine cramps, metallic taste Because of the unpredictability of reactions, early symptoms should never be ignored, especially if the person has suffered an anaphylactic reaction in the past. It is important to note that anaphylaxis can occur without hives. (Source: www.allergysafecommunities.ca) What causes an anaphylactic reaction? Food is one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis, but insect stings, medicine, latex, and exercise can also cause a reaction. What are the most common food allergens in Canada? The most common food allergens are: peanuts, tree nuts, seafood (fish, shellfish, crustaceans), egg, milk, sesame, soy, and wheat. The government considers these "priority" allergens for labelling purposes. From August 2012, mustard will be added to this list. How much of a food allergen does it take to cause a reaction? Even a very small amount 'hidden' in a food or a trace amount of an allergen transferred to a serving utensil has the potential to cause a severe allergic reaction. I hope this helps!!!