If you have ever pondered whether to visit the emergency room for an allergic reaction, you are probably one of the 50M Americans who suffer from allergies each year. Whereas allergies are a typical chronic ailment, allergic reactions could be hazardous or even life-threatening for others. Thus, recognizing when to seek medical assistance could be life-saving. Read on this post to understand when a Houston allergic reaction warrants a visit to the ER.
What Constitutes a Life-Threatening Allergic Reaction?
Considering there are multiple forms of allergic reactions, the symptoms can vary from minor to severe, and they often shift from one individual to another. Typical allergic reactions include itching, swelling, runny nose, cough, sneezing, irritated eyes, and hives. Nevertheless, more serious allergic reactions may also develop, for instance, anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is one of the deadliest and most life-threatening allergic reactions. With anaphylaxis, once the individual is subjected to an allergen, their immune system generates chemicals to combat it, thus, causing the body to shift into hypersensitivity and shock. This reaction could result in brain and heart damage or sometimes fatality.
Some typical symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- Breathing difficulties
- Extensive skin rashes
- Fainting or dizziness
- Intense cramps
- A quick or weak pulse
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Low blood pressureÂ
- Tongue or lip inflammation that signals throat closure
If the individual exhibits one or more of the symptoms mentioned above, seek medical attention. Anaphylactic shock is a dangerous and sometimes fatal condition if not treated promptly.
How Long Will It Take for An Allergic Reaction to Become Severe?
The phases of an allergic response are determined by how badly you are allergic to a specific trigger. More often than not, anaphylactic shock may happen minutes after being subjected to an allergen.
However, symptoms of common or moderate allergens, such as an allergic response to bug bites, can occur in seconds to minutes. In contrast, lactose intolerance symptoms can take up to half an hour following subjection to the allergen.
While these typical responses could be addressed with an allergy injection or over-the-counter drugs, more serious reactions should be handled by a medical expert in an emergency room right away.
What Solutions Should You Expect at The ER For Your Allergic Responses?
If any of the symptoms listed above are present, contact the emergency room immediately. Do not wait and hope that the symptoms will fade away by themselves.
If you have an epinephrine autoinjector, utilize it immediately to avoid complications. If the reactions begin to fade after utilizing the Epipen, visit Houston Medical ER to avoid biphasic anaphylaxis. Once at the clinic, your physician will see you within minutes of arrival to address your concerns. Based on the seriousness of your allergic response, some patients might want extra adrenaline dosages or other treatment procedures to replenish oxygen and open breathing passages.Â
Nonetheless, if you suffer anaphylactic shock, your doctor may suggest that you remain at the ER for about four hours for medical supervision. This monitoring ensures that no other reactions, including biphasic anaphylaxis. If necessary, you may also receive other medicines to enhance your condition, including antihistamines and inhalers.
Now that you know when to visit the emergency room because of an allergic reaction, you must act fast. Even minutes or seconds count with allergies, especially the more severe allergic responses. The physicians at Houston Medical ER are available round the clock. Call the Spring or Houston, TX office or book an appointment online to discuss your concerns and explore the available care solutions.
