Angioedema & Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis

Symptoms occur FAST within minutes and may become very serious, even life threatening.  Some reactions can take up to 2 hours to occur after exposure.

IMMEDIATE treatment with epinephrine (Epi-Pen, Adrenaclick & Auvi-Q) is necessary.

ALWAYS call 9-1-1 if an anaphylactic reaction occurs.

Occasionally a second phase/reaction can occur after the initial anaphylactic reaction.  This will typically happen anywhere from 1 hour to 72 hours after the initial reaction, most commonly occurring about 10 hours later.

Angioedema

This is a reaction that is similar to hives, but it occurs deeper sometimes causing very large swellings of different body parts.

It can be life threatening if it causes closure of the airway due to tongue or throat swelling.

Typically angioedema is treated with antihistamines, but may take a few days before completely resolving.

It can occur due to an allergy or from an unknown cause (“idiopathic angioedema”).