Final answer:
Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction treated with epinephrine to prevent life-threatening symptoms. Allergies trigger an immune response, and subsequent exposures can lead to mast cell activation, histamine release, and anaphylaxis. Epinephrine autoinjectors are essential for at-risk individuals to carry for immediate treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anaphylactic Shock and Allergy Treatment:
Anaphylactic shock is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur rapidly after exposure to an allergen. In susceptible individuals, an allergy is characterized by an inflammatory immune response after exposure to a harmless antigen, which is any substance capable of triggering an allergic reaction, such as pollen or certain foods. When the allergic individual has subsequent exposure to the allergen, the production of IgE antibodies by B cells primes mast cells in connective tissues to release inflammatory chemicals upon contact with the allergen.
These chemicals, including histamine and serotonin, provoke symptoms ranging from mild, such as sneezing and itchy eyes, to severe symptoms including airway constriction, a significant drop in blood pressure, and anaphylaxis. For immediate treatment, epinephrine autoinjectors (e.g., EpiPen®) are carried by those at risk of anaphylaxis, which helps temporarily control the immune reaction. Longer-term measures to manage allergies can include antihistamines to alleviate symptoms and immunotherapy to desensitize the immune system.