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When a reaction is triggered, the symptoms of anaphylactic shock may develop quickly. The victim can become faint, weak, anxious, distressed and flushed in the face, and develop a rapid heartbeat. The skin may become red and itchy, the eyes, face, lips, tongue and throat may swell, and there may be difficulty breathing. Vomiting, cramps, diarrhea and a sense of doom may also occur. In its most severe form the allergic reaction can include a complete loss of cardiovascular tone, resulting in blood pressure drop and shock (anaphylaxis) and can cause death very quickly. In milder reactions, symptoms may not appear for several hours. Severe allergic reactions are not predictable. You may have a mild reaction one time and a severe one the next time, or vice versa. Suspected allergies that trigger anaphylaxis should be confirmed by an allergy specialist four to six weeks after the initial reaction.
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