Anaphylaxis

hellonotarealdr
Jun 11
3 min read

Updated: Jul 19

A person wearing jeans uses an auto-injector pen on their thigh.

Anaphylaxis, sometimes called anaphylactic shock, is a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction. It's different from a small allergic reaction because it affects two or more body systems e.g. the throat closes up (respiratory system*) and blood vessels narrow (circulatory system*).

It can be triggered by various allergens. The most common ones are bee stings, food (especially nuts), medicines (especially penicillin*) and latex.

Symptoms:

Red, itchy rash
Raised area of skin (weals or hives) around the neck or face
Red, itchy, watery eyes
Swelling of hands, feet or face
Swelling of lips
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Diarrhoea

In more severe cases, you may also see:

Difficulty with breathing
Wheezing
Coughing
Swelling of tongue and throat
Confusion and agitation
Shock, leading to collapse

What to do:

Most people with a severe allergy will carry around an auto-injector (sometimes called an Epi-Pen) like the one pictured above. This is a pre-filled injection filled with a medicine called adrenaline that can reduce the symptoms of a reaction. However, the casualty still needs immediate first aid, as the adrenaline does not stop the reaction, just makes the symptoms go away for a while.

Two Epi-Pens. They have instructions on the side showing how they should be injected. — Epi-Pens have instructions on how to use them on the outside.

If the casualty is responsive (awake and alert), have them use their own auto-injector*. If they are unresponsive, inject it for them straight away.
- It will usually have instructions showing that it should be stabbed into the outer upper thigh.
- Massage the area for 10 seconds after injection to help it spread into the bloodstream.
Call emergency services. Tell them you think the person has anaphylaxis, and the trigger*.
Help the casualty lie down in a comfortable position with their legs raised. If they are having difficulty breathing, sit them upright.
Keep giving them doses of their auto-injector every 5 minutes if symptoms do not improve.
Wait with them, keeping them calm and reassured, until emergency services arrive.

Stretch!

If someone dies after you used their Epi-Pen for them, many people think you could get in trouble. However, this is usually not the case. In general, if you act in good faith, without payment, and to the best of your ability, the courts will rule that you were trying your best to save the person's life and not hold you liable.

When the ambulance crew arrive, make sure you tell them how many doses of adrenaline you have had to give, and what the trigger for the anaphylaxis was. This can help them give the right treatment and maybe even save the person's life.

Summary:

Anaphylaxis is a really severe allergic reaction that can be treated with an Epi-Pen. You should ask the person to use their Epi-Pen. If they can't, stab the Epi-Pen into the person's thigh, and then call the ambulance because the person still needs immediate first aid.

Glossary:

Respiratory system: the breathing system, that includes our lungs and throat.

Circulatory system: the system that pumps blood around the body. It includes our heart, veins, and other blood vessels.

Penicillin: A type of strong medicine people take when they have serious infections.

Auto-injector: A pre-filled injection that is ready to use for emergencies. Epi-Pens are a type of auto-injector, and they contain adrenaline.

Trigger: The cause for something. A trigger for anaphylaxis could be bee stings - this means that bee stings cause the allergic reaction.

For Older Learners:

Challenge yourself with these questions!

What are the risks of giving a second adrenaline injection, and when might it be necessary?
How could carrying a medical alert ID help in a situation where an unconscious person is experiencing anaphylaxis?
What are the legal implications of administering someone else's Epi-Pen in an emergency?