Learn Glossary clinical condition

Anaphylaxis

Severe, rapid-onset, multi-system allergic reaction that can cause airway compromise, hypotension, and death.

Most common food triggers are peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, and egg. Diagnostic criteria require involvement of skin/mucosa plus respiratory or cardiovascular compromise after exposure to a likely allergen. First-line treatment is intramuscular epinephrine; antihistamines and corticosteroids are adjunctive. Patients require an emergency action plan and epinephrine auto-injectors.

How each textbook covers it

  • duyff-complete-food-and-nutrition-guide-5e

  • Krause and Mahan's Food and the Nutrition Care Process, 16th ed.Chapter 26

    Most common food triggers are peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, and egg. Diagnostic criteria require involvement of skin/mucosa plus respiratory or cardiovascular compromise after exposure to a likely allergen. First-line treatment is intramuscular epinephrine; antihistamines and corticosteroids are adjunctive. Patients require an emergency action plan and epinephrine auto-injectors.

Related terms

Food Allergy, Food-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis