It's the scary one. It's a severe reaction of many bodily organs to a substance that causes an allergic reaction, such as food ( even one peanut!), latex, a bee sting or penicillin…and it can be fatal.

Early symptoms of anaphylaxis can include headache, stomachache, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and diarrhea. Later the person may go into shock and lose consciousness. In anaphylactic shock, the most severe form of anaphylaxis, blood pressure drops severely; water rapidly leaves the blood stream, causing severe swelling; and bronchial tissues swell dramatically. This causes the person to choke and collapse.

Anaphylaxis usually occurs within minutes of exposure to the allergen and almost always within two hours. The most severe cases may be fatal just ten minutes after exposure.

Epinephrine is the key here. If it is injected in time it may reverse the symptoms. If you've been diagnosed as being at risk for anaphylactic shock, your allergist may recommend that you carry an epi pen so that you can learn to administer the medication yourself.

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