Anaphylaxis or Severe Allergic Reaction
Allergies can be triggered by a wide range of substances and environmental conditions. Allergic reactions can cause mild localised redness and or swelling. Anaphylaxis leads to severe and sudden inflammation of soft tissues in the airways, skin, and sudden drop in blood pressure. Anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening, it must be regarded as a medical emergency that calls for immediate first aid and medical response.
Signs and symptoms
Persistent coughing
feeling dizzy and or faint
difficulty talking or hoarse voice
noisy difficult breathing
swelling of the throat, tongue, face, lips
stomach pain and vomiting if from insect bites
loss of consciousness or collapse
children may become pale and floppy
Symptoms of Anaphylaxis usually occur suddenly within the first 20 minutes after exposure to a trigger and can turn life-threatening very quickly.
Emergency first aid responses for severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis) are:
Remember to reduce exposer to the allergen
Lay the casualty flat – if breathing is difficult, sit them up
If unresponsive place casualty on their side, open airway then check and monitor breathing is normal
Administer adrenaline with an autoinjector (such as an EpiPen®)
Call (000) for an ambulance
Further adrenaline may be given if available if no response after 5 minutes
Start CPR if the casualty is unresponsive and not breathing normally or at all
To find out how to administer Adrenaline check our video on the subject:
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