Final answer:
Epinephrine is the first line of treatment for anaphylaxis, administered as an initial injection via an auto-injector. It is used to counteract severe allergic reactions by raising blood pressure, improving breathing, and reducing swelling. Treatment is followed up with antihistamines and corticosteroids to prevent late-phase reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Epinephrine is the primary treatment for severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis, where it acts by countering a drop in blood pressure and relaxing bronchial smooth muscles. The standard treatment plan starts with an initial injection of epinephrine, which is often provided through a self-administering auto-injector, like an EpiPen®, that individuals with severe allergies carry with them. This auto-injector can be used in an emergency to address symptoms such as respiratory distress, a potentially fatal drop in blood pressure, and anaphylactic shock. Following an epinephrine injection, patients typically receive follow-up treatment that includes antihistamines and slow-acting corticosteroids over several days to prevent late-phase reactions. Epinephrine's action includes constricting blood vessels to raise blood pressure, relaxing the lungs' smooth muscles to improve breathing, modulating heart rate, and reducing airway-blocking swelling.
Desensitization therapy, on the other hand, is a different approach where the patient is gradually exposed to increasing amounts of the allergen with the goal of changing the immune system's response. It's a long-term strategy that aims to reduce the severity of allergic reactions or possibly prevent them altogether.