An allergic reaction where your throat constricts is known as anaphylaxis. Once you are exposed to a substance, your body's immune system becomes sensitized. When you are exposed to the allergen at a later time, you may have an allergic reaction, which involves your entire body and can be life threatening. Histamine and other substances are released in different parts of your body, which causes your airways to tighten.
Symptoms
The signs or symptoms you may experience within a few seconds or minutes with an allergic reaction may include redness, itching, hives, sweating, swelling, nasal congestion, wheezing, cough, fainting, dizziness, nausea, anxiety, slurred speech, difficulty breathing and difficulty swallowing. You may have a low pulse and blood pressure, abnormal heart rate or rhythm, chest tightness, become pale or blue, and have loss of consciousness.
Causes
Many substances can cause you to have an allergic reaction where your throat constricts. The most common reactions, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, include foods, such as eggs, milk, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish and preservatives; medications, such as antibiotics, anti-seizure medicines, vaccines, pain medications and radiocontrast dyes; stinging insects, such as hornets, fire ants, yellow jackets and honeybees -- and latex, especially when it comes into contact with a moist surface on or in the body. Possible allergic reactions to blood and blood products during or following a transfusion include difficulty breathing.
Risks
Although anaphylaxis is rare, causing about 500 deaths each year, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some conditions and factors may increase your risk. If you have had an allergic response that led to anaphylaxis, your chances for a more severe reaction are increased. If you have known allergies or asthma and other respiratory conditions, you are a high risk for a serious reaction. Women, people with cardiovascular disease, and substance abuse may be factors that increase the chances for anaphylaxis.
Treatment
If your throat constricts, you need immediate emergency care to restore free breathing and to maintain blood pressure and your heart function. You may have an airway tube inserted to assist your breathing. If you do not have an allergist, which is a doctor specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies and related diseases, you should visit one right away. Your allergy specialist can give you specific instructions about prevention and treatment should you have another occurrence. You may be given an emergency kit, which contains medications to take as soon as the reaction begins.
Prevention
Prevention of a serious allergic reaction includes avoiding known allergens, seeing a specialist for testing to determine allergies you may not suspect, wearing a medical bracelet to alert others about your allergies and taking preventive medications only as prescribed by your doctor.
