 |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
02.jpg) |
|||||
|
Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction leading to loss of consciousness) from tasting, eating or smelling food occurs usually within an hour of exposure of the offending food. However, the symptoms can begin within a few seconds to a few hours. As a general rule, the longer the appearance of the symptoms, the less severe it its. About one third of children with severe anaphylactic reaction has a biphasic (two stages response). In this situation, the classical symptoms of anaphylaxis comes and goes and the child seem to be normal. Hours later a second stage or recurrence of the allergic reaction is observed. In most instances there is about three hours of being symptom free between the two stages. The symptoms of anaphylaxis are: localized itching (pruritus), flushing, hives, big swelling, tingling of the mouth, lip swelling, nasal congestion, sneezing, sensation of throat itching or tightness, anxiety, hoarseness, “barky” cough, difficulty of swallowing and breathing, wheezing, cyanosis (blue lips and face), light headedness, feeling of pending doom, loss of consciousness, respiratory or cardiac arrest. The foods most frequently associated with anaphylaxis: 1. Peanuts 2. Tree nuts (walnut, hazel nut [filberts], Brazil nuts, pistachios, pecans, pine nuts, cashews, almonds, macadamia nuts) 3. Fish (salmon, cod, less often tuna) 4. Shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster, oyster, scallop) 5. Milk (cow, goat, sheep) 6. Chicken egg 7. Seeds (sesame seed, mustard seed, psyllium cotton seed) 8. Fruits (kiwi) Reference: PEDIATRICS, Pediatric Food Allergy Supplement, April 20, 2002, page 1602. Comment: Have Epi-Pen Jr or regular Epi-Pen when travel, and of course at home or school. Because of the biphasic symptoms of anaphylaxis, the patient should be observed at the emergency room at least 4 to 6 hours after the first sign of severe allergic reaction. Leo Leonidas, MD, FAAP, Assistant Clinical Professor in Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston; Attending Pediatrician, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, Maine.
|
|||||