Michel Blanc, actor and comedian, notably known for his role in Les Bronzés, died during the night from Thursday to Friday at the age of 72. According to his relatives, he suffered anaphylactic shock and a heart attack in the evening before being transported to a Parisian hospital where he died.
What is anaphylactic shock?
The anaphylactic shock involved in the death of the actor Michel Blanc according to his entourage, is a rare but violent allergic reaction to a food, a medicine or to the venom of a wasp, bee or hornet, which can lead to death. in a few minutes.
Anaphylactic shock corresponds to “the most severe form of anaphylaxis”, itself “the most severe and dangerous manifestation of allergy”, describes a fact sheet on the Inserm website. Potentially fatal, it is an absolute medical emergency. Symptoms most often appear very quickly, within minutes of contact with the allergen.
One or more organs may be affected, with varying intensity: hives, facial edema and Quincke’s edema, breathing difficulties, asthma attack, digestive signs, malaise, loss of consciousness or even coma.
What allergens cause anaphylactic shock?
The most common allergens causing anaphylactic shock are foods (60%), bee, wasp and hornet venoms (16%), medications (16%) and latex, according to the ‘Inserm.
As with food, any medication can cause a hypersensitivity reaction in a patient. Among medications, anti-inflammatories, aspirins, beta-blockers, antibiotics and anesthetic products are most often involved, according to the Inserm website.
What product would have caused the death of Michel Blanc?
In the case of Michel Blanc, it was a medication, more precisely a contrast product according to the deceased’s entourage, used during a medical examination, which would have caused the brutal allergic reaction, in the form of edema of the Quincke.
Quincke’s edema results in rapid swelling of the skin and mucous membranes of the head and neck. If it is accompanied by breathing difficulties, discomfort or digestive symptoms, it must be treated urgently.
How to treat anaphylactic shock?
If anaphylaxis is suspected, emergency services must be contacted immediately and the first emergency measures performed.
For anaphylactic shock, the only first-line medication is injectable adrenaline. The patient may subsequently receive corticosteroids and antihistamines to possibly reduce the symptoms.
To prevent violent allergic reactions, doctors encourage people at risk to consult a specialist to identify the allergens in question and avoid contact with them.
