Approach to Severe Allergic Reactions

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires quick diagnosis and treatment. Basic equipment and medication should be easily accessible in the doctor’s office. Lieberman et al. have explained this in considerable detail. Patients with severe anaphylactic symptoms should get routine treatments before being transported to the hospital. Interventions include high-flow oxygen, cardiac monitoring, and intravenous (IV) access. These precautions are recommended for an asymptomatic patient with a history of severe reaction who has been re-exposed to the triggering chemical. For patients with exclusively local reactions, additional measures beyond basic life support (BLS) are unnecessary. The prognosis of patients with anaphylaxis is determined by the severity of the first reaction and their treatment response. Patients with non-life-threatening symptoms may be followed for 4-6 hours after successful treatment.