Anaphylaxis Center - McKinney, TX
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AnaphylaxisRead the Anaphylaxis article » Introduction to anaphylaxisAnaphylaxis refers to a rapidly developing and serious allergic reaction that affects a number of different areas of the body at one time. Severe anaphylactic reactions can be fatal. Most people experience allergy symptoms only as a minor annoyance. However, a small number of people are susceptible to a reaction that can lead to shock or even death. Anaphylaxis is often triggered by substances that are injected or ingested and thereby gain access into the blood stream. An explosive reaction involving the skin, lungs, nose, throat, and gastrointestinal tract can then result. Although severe cases of anaphylaxis can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure and be fatal if untreated, many reactions are milder and can be ended with prompt medical therapy. What does anaphylaxis mean?To fully understand this term, we need to go back almost 100 years. The story begins on a cruise aboard Prince Albert I of Monaco's yacht. The Prince had invited two Parisian scientists to perform studies on the toxin produced by the tentacles of a local jellyfish, the Portuguese Man of War. Charles Richet and Paul Portier were able to isolate the toxin and tried to vaccinate dogs in the hope of obtaining protection, or "prophylaxis," against the toxin. They were horrified to find that subsequent very small doses of the toxin unexpectedly resulted in a new dramatic illness that involved the rapid onset of breathing difficulty and resulted in death within 30 minutes. Richet and Portier termed this "anaphylaxis" or "against protection." They rightly concluded that the immune system first becomes sensitized to the allergen over several weeks and upon re-exposure to the same allergen may result in a severe reaction. An allergen is a substance that is foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people. All... Recommended Reading Related to AnaphylaxisFirst AidFirst aid is the assistance given to an injured or sick person in need of urgent medical assistance. First aid applies to a broad range of medical situations and consists both of specific knowledge and skills (for example, what to do for each type of injury or illness) and the ability to assess a situation and make appropriate decisions (such as when to call for emergency medical assistance). Preparedness is a key element of first aid. While every home, auto, and boat should be equipped with a basic emergency kit that includes first aid supplies and a first aid manual, special circumstances may necessitate more advanced or specific degrees of preparation for an emergency. For example, residents of certain geographic areas where natural disasters (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods, landslides, or tsunamis) may occur should prepare for emergencies by assembling disaster preparedness kits such as earthquake kits, ... Other Related Anaphylaxis ArticlesEmergency Contact for McKinney
Nearby McKinney Hospitals * Medical Center of McKinney Wysong Campus  Medical Center of McKinney  Presbyterian Hospital of Allen  Centennial Medical Center  LifeCare Hospitals of Plano  HEALTHSOUTH Plano Rehabilitation Hospital  Medical Center of Plano  Baylor Medical Center at Frisco  Plano Specialty Hospital  Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano  Presbyterian Hospital of Plano  Methodist Richardson Regional Medical Center  Regency Hospital of North Dallas  Trinity Medical Center  Baylor Medical Center at Garland  Baylor Specialty Hospital Garland  Lake Pointe Medical Center  Green Oaks Hospital  Kindred Hospital Dallas  Medical City Children's Hospital  Medical City Hospital  Kindred Hospital Walnut Hill  Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas  RHD Memorial Medical Center  Medical Center of Lewisville  Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake  Kindred Hospital White Rock  Irving Coppell Surgical Hospital  Denton Regional Medical Center  Timberlawn Mental Health System  Children's Medical Center of Dallas  Las Colinas Medical Center  Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville  Texas Specialty Hospital at Dallas  Dallas Regional Medical Center  Mary Shiels Hospital  LifeCare Specialty Hospital of Dallas  UT Southwestern Medical Center University Hospital St Paul  UT Southwestern Medical Center  Baylor Specialty Hospital  Parkland Health & Hospital System  Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children  UT Southwestern Medical Center University Hospital Zale Lipshy  Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation  Baylor University Medical Center  Baylor Jack & Jane Hamilton Heart & Vascular Hospital  Wilson N Jones Medical Center Main Campus  Glen Oaks Hospital  Presbyterian Hospital of Denton  Baylor Medical Center at Irving  Methodist Dallas Medical Center  Community Specialty Hospital  Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Anaphylaxis by Our Doctors
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Itching
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Allergy
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Food Allergy
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Shock (Medical)
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Bug Bites and Stings
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Insect Sting Allergies
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Latex Allergy
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Drug Allergies
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Allergic Cascade
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