Anaphylaxis is the medical term for a severe allergic reaction that can affect the entire body and is potentially life threatening. An anaphylactic reaction can lead to shock, hence the term anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis presents with the same signs and symptoms of shock in addition to an itchy skin rash, airway constriction, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Anaphylaxis is known as a type I hypersensitivity reaction and occurs within 15 to 30 minutes of being exposed to the antigen (foreign organisms or substance). Sometimes a severe reaction can occur within seconds. This reaction is mediated by immunglobulin E (IgE), which is a type of antibody. Antibodies are developed by the immune system to help immune cells identify antigens  as being dangerous and triggering a reaction against them. IgE tends to reside within the respiratory passages, skin and mucus membranes. Therefore much of the symptoms of this type of hypersensitivity reaction occurs in these areas.

Milder type I hypersensitivity reactions may be seen in acute allergies and chronic allergic conditions like asthma and hay fever. Anaphylaxis, however, is a much more severe reaction commonly triggered by certain drugs, foods or insect toxins (from bites or stings). Unlike a mild allergic reaction, anaphylaxis requires emergency medical attention so that epinephrine can be administered. Failure to do so can sometimes lead to death.

What is Shock?

Shock is the a severe dysfunction or failure in the circulation, meaning that adequate blood is not flowing or sufficient oxygen is not reaching the cells, tissues or organs. Shock is considered to be a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention, failing which, death may occur.

continue reading Signs & Symptoms of Shock – Types & Treatment

What Is a Superbug?

Superbugs, also called Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) bacteria are resistant to several antibiotics. Not all superbugs necessary cause a severe infection, though. A common superbug is MRSA.

What is MRSA?

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain (a genetic variant within the same species) of a Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, resistant to antibiotic methicillin and other antibiotics from the same class as penicillin, amoxacillin and oxacillin. The main problem with MRSA is that it is often not recognized as such, and is therefore treated with inappropriate antibiotics (1, page 25).

MRSA Related Terms

MRSA= Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (Common misspelling: MERSA, MRCA, MERCA)
HA-MRSA = Healthcare Associated MRSA
CA-MRSA = Community Associated MRSA,
CO-MRSA = Community Onset MRSA, and HO-MRSA is Hospital Onset MRSA, terms describe the source of infection when found in a healtcare unit. 
EMRSA = Epidemic MRSA ~ MRSA strain easily spreading among patients and hospitals
MRSE = Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Epidermidis
VRSA = Vancomycin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MSSA = Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus, this is an usual S. aureus, shortly SA
Staph = short for all types of staphylococci (staph aureus, staph epidermidis, staph infection)

‘MRSA virus’ is a commonly used term that is obviously incorrect, since MRSA is a bacterium.

continue reading MRSA Superbug Types: CA-MRSA, HA-MRSA

Hair Dye Allergies – Introduction

About 5% of permanent hair dyes users develop an allergy, mostly in the form of an allergic contact dermatitis with a redness and itch in the head area, but a systemic reaction with an involvement of the whole body skin and other organs is possible in severe cases (1). Hand dermatitis affects considerable percent of hair-dressers (2). The main cause is a substance PPD.

PPD (4-ParaPhenyleneDiamine, C6H8N2)

PPD is widely present on the market since 1909, and it is still used in over 2/3 of permanent hair dyes. Commercial hair dye product typically comes in two bottles: the one with PPD based dye (non-oxidized and thus colorless) and the other with oxidizer or developer, usually hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In the hair dying process initially the peroxide is used to break down the natural hair pigment melanin, and then the PPD is used to replace melanin. When PPD reacts with peroxide, it becomes partly oxidized and colored — it is this form which may cause allergy. Fully oxidized PPD does not cause an allergy, so PPD sensitive persons can wear fur coats dyed with PPD safely (3). PPD can be also found in some dark colored cosmetics and temporary tattoos. In France, Germany and Sweden, PPD was banned as a hair dye because it was thought to be too dangerous for health (4).

Alternative names for PPD: PPDA, Orsin, Rodol, Ursol.

continue reading Hair Dye Allergies