Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic response to a substance which the body has become sensitized to. The anaphylactic response occurs almost immediately after contact with the allergy causing substance and is often life-threatening. Anaphylaxis can affect the whole body (systemic) causing it to go into shock. Individual symptoms may include violent vomiting, skin rashes, major swelling of the airways and/or face and neck, reduced blood pressure, rapid heart beat, loss of consciousness and breathing failure. Anaphylaxis is triggered by allergies to medicines, toxins, specific foods, chemicals (including antivenoms) etc.