Anaphylaxis or Allergic Asthma?

[crystalfresh]

Since during a severe allergy response oxygen is also restricted because of allergy induced asthma which is very different than if the blood vessels are constricting.

I am guessing:
Allergy induced Asthma-higher or normal blood pressure.
Aanaphylactic-lower blood pressure.

Is there anything else to differ between a Systemic Allergy that includes asthma from an Anaphylactic reaction? Or do I have this all wrong and Systemic allergy that includes asthma is already anaphylactic?

But I thought allergy could trigger asthma with out being anaphylactic?

As you can see I am very lost. I am under the impression anaphylactic is only a blood pressure drop from vessle restriction. Emergency self treatment is also the same for both. So there is no liability risk in answering this question. I would like to know how to classify these two reactions when a blood pressure meter is not available.

As you can tell I am still trying to learn what these things are. Thank you for your opinions. I could not find any information online how to tell the difference between the two with out a blood pressure meter.

What makes this really really hard in some cases is when a person has anxiety since that will speed up their pulse. That's when blood pressure is very important. Anaphylactic reaction would be one step for the worst since that person has to deal with low blood pressure as an added problem. Does it sound like I understand this properly? If not PLEASE CORRECT ME. Thank you.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It could be that pollen is acting as a triggering factor for your asthma.

You should continue with your inhaler medication and see a chest specialist for your symptoms and also discuss all the doubts taht you have.

Post us the latest and if you have any doubts.

Regards.

[crystalfresh]

Clear on insect stings!!!! Got it!

Just what about the asthma like symptoms form allergy shots for pollen allergies? And the pollen allergies in the air causing asthma too. Systemic?

[crystalfresh]

This might just answer all of this. Can an environmental allergy shot trigger asthma with in a few minutes? This might all be systemic right?

[crystalfresh]

The most confusing part is that my normal reaction to pollen is asthma and mucus. My heart is not affected when it is pollen like it was with the insect stings. I can breathe in the pollen or get a shot it doesn't make a difference. If allergen is strong enough it will still will trigger asthma-swelling, chest cramping feeling, but I think thats just what asthma feels like(really tight chest internally like swelling, albuterol reverses it) and mucus.. I think any histamine in large amounts does this now. My chest will still not feel normal until I take antihistamine.

Histamine triggering asthma or systemic from pollen and allergy shots?
(excluding insect stings)

See how this is so confusing... Is all this systemic or just insect stings?

Maybe this can help. Asthma is swelling of the air ways. When I am stung I have swelling of the air ways. So they are the same thing, just a different title based on what is causing it correct?

[crystalfresh]

I am able to control the asthma mostly with antihistamine. Every once and a while I have regular asthma and I just use my rescue inhaler and stop what I am doing or leave the area. Walking past smokers will set off the asthma or Bleach, Clorine. Many irritants do it. If I get away fast it will undo, if too long I would require an inhaler to reverse it.

My I ask. What do they look for when taking a chest X-ray. I thought they just wanted to make extra money from me. I said don't you want to take the Xray when I am experiencing the breathing problem, not when I am feeling fine?

One more question about the breathing problem with allergies. In the past they gave me an allergy shot that and after a few minutes I had sinus and asthma. This is my normal reaction to environmental allergy these days. I was fine until I got the shot, but then I needed a nebulizer, inhaler, and nasal spray to control the mucus. I already had antihistamine in me before the shot. I had NO swelling or itching, no rash. This happened many times after the shots in the beginning. Would allergy shot have caused Asthma or a Systemic reaction for this exact situation? I don't know if this is called a reaction or just elevated allergy and normal. Because my normal reaction to pollen is closed air ways where someone else sneezes. So for me would this fall under a reaction or just elevated allergy.

It is confusing to me since there is no book I can read to get a straight answer. Some say just elevated allergy and not a reaction, then others say yes it is a reaction. The shots only contain environmental antigens.

Thank you.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

After an insect bite , the breathlessness is a part of the systemic reaction of anaphylaxis or allergy. It is not due to asthma.

You have a triggering factor of an insect bite which causes the acute systemic response , also involving your airways.

The symptoms would be more in you than a normal individual if you have underlying asthma.

Whereas, asthma is due to chronic or long term hypersensitivity of your airways which when irritated by stimuli such as fumes, or stress etc , causes further constriction of the air passages making breathing difficult.

So anaphylaxis is an acute , systemic or generalised response of the whole body to an allergen; asthma is chronic condition of the airways.

Do talk to your doctor about getting a chest xray done, you are on daily inhaler medications for your asthma?

Post us the latest and if you have any doubts.

Regards.

[crystalfresh]

I have had both allergy testing and PFT. Lots of 4+ allergies and asthma from the PFT. They looked inside my airway with a long narrow scope and saw a sticky puss from allergies that blankets my air ways and swelling.

Never had an Xray done.  Is there any need for an Xray? Thought chest xrays were harmful if not needed. Maybe Xrays are safer today? I am perfectly normal when there is no allergy or something to trigger my asthma. What would they look for if I were feeling fine?

5 years ago when bit by fire ants my veins starts turning blue and burns as the toxin traveled through my body. You can watch it like move slowly like a dark blue dye visible through my skin. When the blue reached my chest and heart, my heart starts to burn and thumps hard and really fast. (same for wasp stings). Lots and lots of swelling. Back then I didn't have a mucus and asthma. Just took 2 benedryl out of my wallet. I never worried about it until last year when my mucus and asthma made it dangerous. Yea I guess my heart pounding thing was pretty bad too, but I didn't think to much about then since I was able to breath ok. I don't think I will be so lucky next time I am bit by a fire ant.

Mostly the insect stings or bites are the only thing that gets my heart pounding and huge swelling. Not right away but after a few minutes. The asthma is just triggered by elevated histamine is my guess. I'm going to pay more attention to what is going on next time I get stung. It's had to pay attention to details when breathing is restricted. That is my first concern. But lately I have been learning about what is happening to me and understanding more and more. Sometimes it has to get worst to identify things.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Glad the post was of some help to you.

What you could do is consult an allergy specialist and a chest specialist to find out the definite diagnosis in your case.

You would need to get an allergy testing, a chest xray, and a lung function testing done.

Let us know about the reports when they come in and post us about how you are doing.

Regards.

[crystalfresh]

Thank you. I understand more of the onset of the reaction leading to the result. I would say that I only experienced an Anaphylaxis reaction very very few times then.

The other reaction I have is generic. As long as the allergen is present I will have severe mucus production in volumes doctors have never seen before and asthma that will keep getting worst if not treated. Both are easily treated with a combination of meds. There is a feeling of muscle cramping in my chest but I can't figure out if that is part of the asthma swelling or strain from trying to breath so hard. That cramping feeling is in the center chest so it is not my heart. It's all related to the breathing difficulty. I guess it doesn't matter why it's feel that way. I just like having answers.

It's strange how an allergen can enter my body anywhere through my skin and produce asthma and this mucus reaction. I am guessing that all this shares a common thing as elevated histamine or igE in the blood when I am exposed. So that must be my trigger not actual contact with allergen. This would not even be systemic then.

I have had systemic reactions that involved, full purple body rash, swelling of sting area, pounding heart, muscle cramping, and all the above reactions too. This would be systemic. If I start having trouble walking or standing due to loss of pressure feeling I'd guess anaphylaxis is starting. There are probably more reactions but I'm usually too busy taking meds to worry about what is going on.

I think I got it now and understand when it happens to me. I don't think I could tell on someone else.

Thank you.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

'Anaphylaxis is an acute systemic (multi-system) and severe Type I Hypersensitivity allergic reaction in humans and other mammals. Minute amounts of allergens may cause a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis may occur after ingestion, skin contact, injection of an allergen or, in rare cases, inhalation.'

You could read more about the condition at the following links -

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/TOPIC25.HTM

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaphylaxis

'Asthma is a chronic condition involving the respiratory system in which the airways occasionally constrict, become inflamed, and are lined with excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers.'

You could read more about this at the following link -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthma

Let us know if you need any further information.

Regards.

[chizzle]

I believe anaphylactic reactions & systemic reactions are the same. A systemic reaction would be defined as a reaction that has effect on multiple organ systems on the body - respiratory, the skin, cardiovascular, and sometimes digestive. A reaction that is considered anaphylactic is also described this way. If you come into contact with an allergen and the only reaction you have is breathing problems than I wouldn't classify it as a systemic reaction, or anaphylaxis. As for your question about the wasp sting, I would say it would depending on whether or not your have other symptoms associated along w/ it.

[crystalfresh]

For example. After I am stung by a wasp I get Asthma and other wonderful reactions a few minutes later. Would that be Systemic or Anaphylactic? I don't know my blood pressure when that happens.

[crystalfresh]

Treatment I currently use is,
1. Antihistamine
2. Bronchial dilator and other meds if needed to keep air way clear..

If not bringing under control or symptons show dangerous pressure drop,
3. Epinephran and call 911, seek help.

So if 1+2 were able to slow and reverse and treat the reaction does that out rule it as possible anaphylaxis too?