First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide for Anaphylaxis

What is Anaphylaxis?

• Severe, life- threatening allergic reaction
• Occurs as a reaction to an allergen
• Anaphylaxis releases various chemicals in body
• Reactions occur in secs / mins of exposure
• Occurs in 30 per 100,000 individuals per year

Causes

• Food like nuts, milk, eggs, fish
• Insect sting
• Latex
• Vaccines
• Medications like antibiotics, anesthetics
• Some tropical insects, plants, animals
• Unknown causes

What happens?

• On first exposure-allergen specific antibody, Ig-E, produced
• On re-exposure, Ig-E triggers immune response
• This immune response is anaphylaxis

Symptoms

• Tingling / warm sensation
• Itchiness / Rash
• Swelling of areas around mouth / throat
• Restricted air-ways
• Reduced oxygen level in brain
• Signs of asthma
• Vomiting
• Cramps
• Diarrhea
• Fluid-filled lungs
• Low blood pressure
• Palpitations / feeling faint
• Loss of consciousness

Who is at risk? 

• Those with history of food allergy
• Those with family history of allergies
• Those who have experienced prior attack

Treatment

• If nauseated, lie down on the side
• If feeling faint, lie down, legs raised
• In case of breathing difficulty, sit up
• First time patients should be hospital treated 
• Epinephrine injections – effective treatment 
• Continuous monitoring mandatory
• Severity/ response / prior episodes determine treatment

Prevention

• Avoid allergens as far as possible
• Those at risk should carry adrenalin auto-injector
• Inform school authorities, if children at risk
• Children should wear food allergy badges
• Emergency protocols necessary in schools/ work place
• Educating the public is vital