Symptoms of Hypersensitivity and Anaphylaxis
Hypersensitivity is an unnecessary immune response to an antigen. Symptoms include fever, flaky skin, rash, swollen glands and lymph nodes, coma, seizures, headaches, dry mouth, and white blood cell abnormalities. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening acute reaction with symptoms including low blood pressure, skin reactions (itching, hives), airway constriction, swollen throat or tongue, trouble breathing, wheezing, fainting, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and rapid pulse (McLendon & Sternard, 2023).
Differentiating from Other Conditions
Anaphylaxis is more severe than hypersensitivity, with rapid onset and fatal potential if untreated (Gonzalez-Diaz et al., 2021). Hypersensitivity is an adverse drug allergy. Conditions mimicking anaphylaxis include acute angioedema, generalized urticaria, acute anxiety, panic attacks, and acute asthma exacerbations. The key differentiator is that anaphylaxis is triggered by an antigen and is not a smoldering flare that worsens over time.
Nursing Emergency Response Steps
- Remove the causative antigen immediately
- Administer medication to restore vascular tone
- Conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation if respiratory or cardiac arrest occurs (Belleza, 2024)
- Perform endotracheal intubation if needed
- Initiate intravenous therapy for medications and fluids
- Administer diphenhydramine, epinephrine, and albuterol as indicated
References
- Belleza, M. (2024). Anaphylactic shock nursing care management. Nurseslabs. https://nurseslabs.com/anaphylactic-shock/
- Gonzalez-Diaz, S. N., et al. (2021). Knowledge of healthcare providers in anaphylaxis management. World Allergy Organization Journal, 14(11), 100599. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8591458/
- McLendon, K., & Sternard, B. T. (2023). Anaphylaxis. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482124/
Related: See our immune dysfunction or infection and immune response.