What are the signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction?
The anaphylactic response occurs rapidly. It can begin within seconds or within the first 20 minutes after exposure. In rare instances, an anaphylactic reaction may occur up to 4 hours later. The faster the onset of the reaction, the greater the likelihood that it will be severe. In cases of slow onset, the first symptoms within minutes of exposure to the agent are tingling of the hands and feet accompanied by a warm feeling, and fullness of the mouth and throat. Congestion of the nose and swelling of the eyes may also occur at this stage. This progresses to tightness of the chest, an itchy rash or dizziness, and then this indicates the onset of a severe reaction. It can take as little as 1-2 minutes for a mild allergic reaction to escalate to anaphylaxis. Severe anaphylactic reactions are often abrupt and usually associated with severe tightness of the chest, difficulty breathing, dizziness, cramping diarrhoea, swelling of the face, lips and tongue, anxiety, fainting and collapse due
