[Allergic emergencies]

Abstract

Some allergenic aggressions produce life threatening reactions requiring an emergency treatment. Anaphylaxis is related to relatively isolated exposures: drugs, food, hymenoptera stings. Anaphylactic shock is a life threatening reaction due to several mechanisms of mast cells degranulation. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis is sometimes symptomatic of food allergy, and idiopathic anaphylaxis may also represent a severe reaction. Adrenaline is the mainstay for emergency treatment; it has to be used as soon as possible, according to correct procedures as a first-step treatment. Emergency treatment may also be required after an allergenic exposure, especially fungal, responsible for allergic asthma exacerbation, severe cutaneous or mucosal lesions (laryngeal oedema, angiooedema...).