Anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, is an allergic reaction to foods, medications, insect venom, or latex that can be fatal within minutes, either through swelling that shuts off airways or through a dramatic drop in blood pressure.

The most distinctive symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Hives
• Swelling of the throat, lips, tongue, or around the eyes
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

Other common symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

• Metallic taste or itching in the mouth
• Generalized flushing, itching, or redness of the skin
• Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Increased heart rate
• Sudden decrease in blood pressure (and accompanying paleness)
• Sudden feeling of weakness
• Anxiety or an overwhelming sense of doom
• Collapse
• Loss of consciousness