clinical features
Last reviewed 01/2018
Anaphylaxis is likely when all 3 criteria are met:
- sudden onset and rapidly progressing symptoms
- life-threatening Airway , Breathing , Circulation problems
- skin and mucosal changes
Early features of anaphylaxis include:
- urticaria
- pruritus
- flushing
Established anaphylaxis is characterised by:
- profound vasodilatation:
- warm peripheries
- low blood pressure
- capillary leakage resulting in:
- hypovolaemia
- oedema e.g. face, pharynx and larynx
- bronchospasm
- gastrointestinal symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, incontinance
Death is due to circulatory collapse or respiratory failure.
Note:
- skin or mucosal changes per se are not a sign of an anaphylaxis
- skin and mucosal changes can be absent in up to 20% of anaphylaxis reactions
- sometimes may have only a decrease in blood pressure
Reference: