Andrew Liu, M.D., National Jewish Medical and Research Ctr.
Question: What complications can occur as a result of anaphylaxis?
Answer: So the allergic reactions in anaphylaxis can differ in terms of what parts of the body are affected. Sometimes it's just the skin, like hives and swelling. Sometimes there's other parts of the body that become involved and that can become life-threatening, and can become anaphylactic. The breathing can be affected, swelling of the upper air passage or severe asthma attacks. It can affect people's blood pressure and cause allergic shock or anaphylactic shock. It can cause some gastrointestinal symptoms, and cause vomiting or diarrhea. Any time it involves more than the skin, we think of it as a medical emergency, and should be treated and managed in an emergent setting.
