Dr. Mary Beth Hogan answers the question: “What are the dangers of allergic reactions if I don’t seek medical treatment?”

There is no danger if an allergic reaction is confined to the skin. These reactions can be treated with antihistamines. However, on rare occasions, a highly sensitive patient may develop symptoms of a systemic reaction after allergen exposure.

Symptoms include itching of throat, nose, palms or skin, hives, flushing, feeling warm, dizzy, sneezing, runny nose, coughing, wheezing or chest tightness, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. If this reaction is not stopped it can progress to difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure or even death.

It is not the presence of hives or extreme swelling of the skin or face that is concerning in these reactions, but the presence of symptoms relatable to difficulty breathing—throat closing off or wheezing—and decreased blood pressure—volume loss from vomiting or diarrhea or a direct drop in blood pressure with loss of consciousness—that can result in a fatality.

Studies have shown that survival after a systemic reaction is directly relatable to how quickly epinephrine can be given. So allergists currently recommend that all patients use their epi-pen and go to an emergency room immediately after developing any symptoms of a systemic reaction.

Mary Beth Hogan, M.D. is professor of pediatrics and section chief  of pediatric allergy, immunology and pulmonary medicine at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Dr. Hogan is based out of Reno, Nevada.

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This entry was posted on Monday, January 5th, 2009 at 9:00 am and is filed under Allergies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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