How to Help Someone Suffering From Anaphylactic Shock

Anaphylactic shock is a life-threatening medical condition where a severe allergic reaction can cause respiratory and pulmonary distress, which can eventually lead to death. By knowing how to help someone who is suffering from anaphylactic shock, you may be able to save a life.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Emergency medical help

1. Recognize the early symptoms of anaphylactic shock in order to help someone who is suffering from an attack. These symptoms, which generally appear within the first few minutes after ingesting the allergen, may include a sudden drop in blood pressure causing dizziness or fainting, a tingling sensation in the mouth or on the lips, swelling of the skin, hives and falling in and out of consciousness. In addition, gastrointestinal distress may occur within the hour, marked by vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping.

2. Identify the allergen that is causing the attack in order to help someone who is suffering from anaphylactic shock. The most common triggers for anaphylactic shock include eating peanuts or shellfish, or being stung by a bee, wasp or hornet. By gathering as much information as possible about the person who is suffering from anaphylactic shock, you will be able to assist emergency medical technicians when they arrive on the scene.

3. Call for help as soon as possible, even if the symptoms seem to lessen or disappear after a few minutes. Anaphylactic shock often comes in two waves, known as a biphasic reaction, which may often trick the sufferer into thinking that the shock is going away. It's better to call 911 for a false alarm than to jeopardize someone's life by hesitating.

4. Help someone suffering from anaphylactic shock by finding out whether anyone nearby knows how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Anaphylactic shock may lead to respiratory and pulmonary distress, causing the bronchial tubes to constrict and the heart to stop. It's important to apply rescue breathing techniques, such as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compression, while you are waiting for emergency medical help to arrive.

5. Aid emergency technicians once they arrive on the scene. Give them as much information as possible so that less time is spent trying to obtain a proper diagnosis. Remember that when it comes to anaphylactic shock, every second counts.

Tips & Warnings

• If you believe someone is suffering from anaphylactic shock, check his wrists and ankles for a medical alert bracelet, which may identify the condition and the allergen.

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