Everyone should know how to help with anaphylactic shock, the algorithm of which is repeated in most cases. Anaphylactic shock is one of the most severe manifestations of an allergic reaction. Arising rapidly, it leads to acute circulatory disturbance. Blood pressure drops sharply. The work of the heart is inhibited, respiratory function is disturbed. There is a lack of oxygen supply to vital organs. First of all, the brain and heart. This condition of the victim is called urgent, that is, life-threatening.
Therefore, help with anaphylactic shock, the algorithm of which everyone should know, must be carried out immediately!
The cause of anaphylactic shock
Anaphylaxis occurs almost instantly after contact with a substance to which the patient already has intolerance. In other words, there was already contact with this or a substance similar in structure. And this person’s immune system can recognize it.
Typically, eyewitnesses see the moment of direct contact of a person with an allergen. They can clearly indicate to the doctors who arrived at the call what preceded the reaction. Thus, to help with anaphylactic shock as effective as possible. This will help save the life and health of the victim.
Medical workers of any rank are studying the emergency care algorithm for anaphylactic shock without fail. They should know him, regardless of their specialization (general practitioner, surgeon, dentist, etc.) and the category of medical school they graduated from (university, college, college, etc.).
But in a situation where the victim will need help, anyone can be completely. Even a teenager or a schoolboy. In order not to get confused in a critical situation, you need to know the reason that can cause anaphylaxis, signs of shock and a clear sequence of actions. Keep in mind that anaphylactic shock eliminates emergency care, the algorithm of which must be strictly observed.
Allergens that can cause anaphylaxis
Substances that can cause anaphylactic shock if they enter the body can be divided into four large groups. These include medications, foods, stinging insect poisons, household cleaning products and hygiene products.
- Medicines, regardless of the route of administration (tablets, injections, inhalations, etc.), can cause a pronounced allergic reaction, up to anaphylaxis. These include primarily antibacterial drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs of non-steroidal origin, vitamins and several others. It can also include dietary supplements.
- The foods most often causing anaphylactic shock are fish and other seafood (including vegetable), nuts, mushrooms, fruits. In principle, an allergic reaction can be to any food containing animal or vegetable protein.
- When an insect bites, substances of a protein nature, poisons, also enter the body. Some of them have very high toxicity, which, along with an allergic reaction of an immediate type, can have a negative effect on other systems (nervous, respiratory, muscle). This can further aggravate the condition of the victim. Then medical care for anaphylactic shock should also be accompanied by the introduction of antidotes to toxins.
- Household chemicals and hygiene products around us are no less dangerous. Many detergents, cleaners and other helping formulations contain biologically or surfactants (biologically active substances and surfactants). It is they who can cause shock. Hygiene products (household or medical gloves), as well as contraceptives (condoms, vaginal diaphragms) contain latex, which can also cause anaphylaxis. Moreover, the second, even indirectly, from a partner.
If you report that the victim was in contact with one of these drugs before the onset of the attack, help with anaphylactic shock and its algorithm will be much more effective.
Anaphylactic shock rate
Anaphylactic shock is a very insidious condition. Its symptoms can appear both in a few seconds or minutes, and in a few hours after contact with an allergen. This directly depends on the nature of the substance that causes anaphylaxis, the way it enters the body and the level of sensitization of the human immune system that is sensitive to this substance.
Of no small importance is the amount of allergen that has entered the body and the reactivity of the immune system. With a developing reaction, these two factors determine how severe the course of anaphylactic shock will be.
Light form
It can manifest in dizziness, a feeling of heat, weakness. Tinnitus may be heard . Conscious but can be disoriented. A sense of fear may bother him. When measuring blood pressure, numbers are obtained slightly below the usual "working" values for a given person.
Medium grade
It is characterized by more pronounced symptoms. In this case, confusion is determined. The victim is inhibited, disoriented. But on contact, retains the ability to quite intelligible answers. The level of blood pressure is reduced by a third or more from the "worker".
Severe course
With this form of anaphylactic shock, the consciousness of the victim is lost. The skin is pale, covered with sweat, cyanosis (cyanosis) above the upper lip is determined. The tonometer readings are either minimal or absent altogether. The heartbeat is quiet, slow. Breath is difficult to determine.
If those close to the victim know these signs, then pre-medical care can be provided with anaphylactic shock in full. And this will save a person’s life and preserve his health.
Atypical course of anaphylaxis
About a third of all cases of anaphylaxis go through the stage of "imaginary well-being." This is manifested by a significant improvement in general condition after a mild or moderate degree of reaction. In the absence of proper therapy, after a few hours and up to a day, a sharp deterioration is possible. This can lead to very sad consequences. Therefore, only by clearly following the entire emergency care algorithm for anaphylactic shock, you can not be afraid to skip this option.
Sequencing
If the victim is conscious and has eaten or drunk something, you can try to induce vomiting. If the attack occurred in response to the action of household chemicals, the victim should be removed (taken out) from the premises, providing an influx of fresh air. When an insect bites, if the sting remains in the skin, do not try to pull it out - there is a risk of crushing the capsule with poison in it.
It is better to apply a tourniquet when biting into a limb above the place of damage, and apply cold to the place. Cold can also be used when bitten in other parts of the body.
Anaphylactic shock. Clinic. Urgent Care
So what do you need to know? If anaphylactic shock is suspected in a person according to the listed signs, first aid, the algorithm of which is represented by a clear sequence of actions, begins with the immediate elimination of the action of the allergen.
Next, dial the ambulance number. For stationary devices, the ambulance service number is still relevant - 03. When calling from a mobile phone, the number may differ depending on the carrier. It is advisable to clarify the emergency numbers in the network’s help desk and enter them into the phone’s hot keys.
For a long time and successfully in the territory of Russia, a center for a unified rescue service has been operating. The number for calling 112 is available to the subscriber of any operator and with a negative account balance.
The next action taken simultaneously with the call is to assess the severity of the condition of the victim and determine whether this condition can be anaphylactic shock or not. If the answer is yes, then the actions continue, as prescribed by the emergency care algorithm for anaphylactic shock.
Assess the consciousness of the victim - can answer questions: what is complaining about and what happened (what is the reason for this condition). With mild to moderate severity, the victim can usually clearly state the cause.
It then assesses how free breathing is. To ensure better patency of the upper respiratory tract, the victim should unfasten his collar (loosen his tie), take off his scarf, etc. In case of loss of consciousness, sometimes the tongue is stuck. This mechanical obstruction to the air flow can be eliminated by pulling the lower jaw, grabbing its corners with one hand, forward.
How can ambulance or emergency services operators help?
Having made a call and called an ambulance crew, the person assisting will no longer feel alone in front of the problem. This will already be known to both doctors in a hurry to the rescue, and the dispatcher of the ambulance service or the Ministry of Emergencies. While waiting for the team, the dispatcher will help the person help calm down, focus and describe the condition of the victim.
Each dispatcher in the working documents must have a memo “How to recognize anaphylactic shock? Emergency care, the algorithm for its provision. " According to it, the dispatcher will control the correctness of actions, prompt when state changes. In extreme cases, with a severe form of anaphylactic shock, he will tell you the technique of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Checks the correctness of its implementation.
Baby features of anaphylaxis
In children, anaphylactic shock, emergency care, the algorithm for its provision have a number of differences. In a child’s body, the relative liquid content is higher, fiber is more loose, the mechanisms of self-regulation are not yet fully ripe. All this leads to a more rapid development of edema.
In addition, children are very afraid of this condition. This, in turn, increases the concentration of stress hormones in the blood, which narrow the already dying airways and blood vessels. Accordingly, helping children with anaphylactic shock differ from helping adults. It is imperative that the child be reassured before the doctors arrive to partially restore the normal functioning of the respiratory system.
Clinical manifestations in children in shock and first aid
It is usually not difficult to recognize anaphylactic shock in children. First aid for children is also not difficult. The child's skin turns pale, cold sweat appears , a frequent pulse of weak filling and tension is felt .
The explanation is simple. In a state of shock, centralization of blood circulation occurs, in which blood is redistributed to more important organs - the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys. This is a kind of “life support quartet”, which is designed to keep a person in consciousness and prevent the body from dying.
The principles of first aid for children come down to three simple rules: to properly put, warm and soothe. Children are not characterized by a severe course of anaphylaxis, because they are conscious, although a little inhibited.
It is necessary to give the baby a position with raised legs, so that blood flows more to the chest and brain. This will ensure sufficient blood supply to the vessels of the brain, heart and lungs. This will contribute to an almost optimal blood flow and prevent serious complications such as damage to cells of organs tissues with oxygen deficiency (hypoxia), blood clots in the lumen of blood vessels.
It should also be noted that often there is a sharp drop in blood pressure that accompanies anaphylactic shock. The aid algorithm in this case preserves the peripheral access. This means that with developing anaphylaxis from an average degree and above, the peripheral veins subside, and then it is quite difficult for physicians to infuse them. A tourniquet placed on the shoulder with a light pull will prevent the veins from dropping, and it will be much easier to put the dropper on.
A child in shock is covered in cold sweat. This causes a large heat loss. The baby should be covered, creating a comfortable temperature for him. Maintaining the optimum temperature of the skin will ensure the normal movement of fluid from the bloodstream to the interstitial medium and vice versa. This, in turn, reduces puffiness, both general and local.
You can’t leave the child alone! A frightened baby already experiences stress, and with difficulty breathing and in an incomprehensible situation for him, he will aggravate his condition even more.
For any manifestation of at least one of the signs, an ambulance should be called immediately. An absolute indication for hospitalization is the anaphylactic shock diagnosed by a doctor. Emergency care for children, started on a call, continues in the intensive care unit. This is necessary for dynamic observation and adequate therapy. The possibility of an atypical course of anaphylaxis is especially taken into account.
An acute condition in which there is a threat not only to the health, but also to the life of the victim, often causes panic in people who are close to the victim. This requires one more item to be added to the emergency care algorithm for anaphylactic shock. It is necessary to calm down, restore breathing and prudently and accurately proceed to the rescue of a person in distress.