The key difference between mild moderate and severe anaphylactic reactions is that mild anaphylactic reactions do not require medical assistance, while moderate anaphylactic reactions require medical assistance but not urgently, and severe anaphylactic reactions require immediate medical assistance.
An anaphylactic reaction is an allergic reaction that can occur immediately after exposure to an allergen, which could end up in severe conditions. Once exposed to an allergen, the immune system of the body sets a series of immune-based reactions against the allergen. The severity of the reaction differs according to the type of allergen. Hence, allergic reactions or anaphylactic reactions are of three different types as mild, moderate, and severe anaphylactic reactions.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Mild Anaphylactic Reactions
3. What are Moderate Anaphylactic Reactions
4. What are Severe Anaphylactic Reactions
5. Similarities – Mild Moderate and Severe Anaphylactic Reactions
6. Mild vs Moderate vs Severe Anaphylactic Reactions in Tabular Form
7. Summary – Mild vs Moderate vs Severe Anaphylactic Reactions
What are Mild Anaphylactic Reactions?
Mild anaphylactic reactions are a type of allergy reaction that cause mild symptoms and have no death threat. The symptoms of mild anaphylactic reactions include watery eyes, a runny nose, skin itchiness, and the development of a rash. These types of allergic reactions do not require medical assistance.
Treatments for such mild allergies include antihistamines to reduce the allergic response, calamine, and other types of lotions to reduce the itchiness, etc. But it is important to be vigilant of the progression of the symptoms to the next stage, which might require medical assistance.
What are Moderate Anaphylactic Reactions?
Moderate anaphylactic reactions are a type of allergy reaction that cause moderate symptoms, which could lead to a death threat. These anaphylactic reactions need medical assistance to stop the development of severe symptoms.
Treatments for moderate anaphylactic reactions include antihistamines and epinephrine to reduce the body’s allergic reaction and oxygen to assist in breathing. Moderate anaphylactic reactions are not lethal. However, if left untreated, it could lead to severe anaphylactic reactions and may cause death.
What are Severe Anaphylactic Reactions?
Severe anaphylactic reactions are a type of allergic reactions that cause serious symptoms that could result in death if left untreated. Severe anaphylactic reactions require immediate medical assistance. During such incidents, it is important to rush the patient to the nearest hospital.
Treatment for severe anaphylactic reactions includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to restart the heart after cardiac arrest, beta-agonist (such as albuterol) to relieve breathing symptoms, and intravenous (IV) antihistamines and cortisone to reduce inflammation of the air passages and improve breathing.
What are the Similarities Between Mild Moderate and Severe Anaphylactic Reactions?
- Allergens are responsible for all three types of reactions.
- Moreover, they develop due to immune responses.
- These reactions cause sudden changes in the body.
What is the Difference Between Mild Moderate and Severe Anaphylactic Reactions?
Mild anaphylactic reaction does not require medical assistance. In contrast, moderate anaphylactic reactions require medical assistance but not urgently, while severe anaphylactic reactions require immediate medical assistance. Thus, this is the key difference between mild moderate and severe anaphylactic reactions. Mild anaphylactic reactions cause watery eyes, a runny nose, or a rash, while moderate anaphylactic reactions cause breathing difficulties, wheezing, and swallowing difficulties, and severe anaphylactic reactions cause a sharp drop in blood pressure, cardiac arrest, and shock.
The below infographic presents the differences between mild moderate and severe anaphylactic reactions in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Mild vs Moderate vs Severe Anaphylactic Reactions
An anaphylactic reaction is an allergic reaction that can occur immediately after exposure to an allergen, which could end up in severe conditions. Allergic reactions or anaphylactic reactions are of three different types: mild, moderate, and severe. A mild anaphylactic reaction does not require medical assistance. Moderate anaphylactic reactions require medical assistance but not urgently. Severe anaphylactic reactions require immediate medical assistance. So, this is the key difference between mild moderate and severe anaphylactic reactions.
Reference:
1. “Allergies: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatments.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Anaphylaxis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
3. John P. Cunha, DO. “What Are the Four Types of Allergic Reactions?” EMedicineHealth, EMedicineHealth.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis” By Mikael Häggström – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Blausen 0014 AllergicDermatitis” By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia