Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis

Question 1

What are some common allergens (allergy triggers)?

Answer 1

1. Venomous insect stings
2. Certain foods
3. Animal dander
4. Plant pollen
5. Certain medications (e.g., penicillin and sulfa drugs)
6. Latex

Question 2

What are some signs and symptoms of mild to moderate allergic reactions?

Answer 2

1. Skin rash
2. Stuffy nose
3. Red, watery eyes
4. Swelling and turns redness of the skin or area of the body that came into contact with the allergen.

Question 3

What is Anaphylaxis?

Answer 3

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can cause difficulty breathing, as air passages swell and restrict airflow in and out of the victim’s lungs and airways.

Anaphylaxis can also cause other responses, such as a combination of shock, swelling and skin reactions.

Question 4

What can trigger anaphylaxis in susceptible people?

Answer 4

1. Insect bites or stings
2. Certain foods (e.g., peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, milk, eggs, soy and wheat)
3. Animal dander
4. Plant pollen
5. Certain medications (e.g., penicillin and sulfa drugs).
6. Latex
7. Chemicals

Question 5

What are possible signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis?

Answer 5

1. Trouble breathing
2. Swelling of the face, neck, tongue or lips
3. A feeling of tightness in the chest or throat
4. Skin reactions (such as hives, itchiness or flushing)
5. Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
6. Dizziness
7. Loss of consciousness
8. Signs and symptoms of shock (such as excessive thirst; skin that feels cool or moist and looks pale or bluish; an altered level of consciousness and a rapid, weak heartbeat)

• A person who is experiencing anaphylaxis may develop one or more of the signs and symptoms within seconds or minutes of coming into contact with the allergen.
• Anyone at risk should wear a medical identification tag, bracelet or necklace and have an epinephrine auto-injector readily available.

Question 6

What do you do if you suspect that someone is experiencing anaphylaxis?

Answer 6

To determine if a person is experiencing anaphylaxis, look at the situation as well as the person’s signs and symptoms.

If you suspect that someone is experiencing anaphylaxis, you should immediately:

1. Have someone summon EMS personnel.
2. Offer to help the person administer their medication, if the person carries any (e.g., epinephrine) and if local protocols allow. (Epinephrine is a form of adrenaline medication prescribed to treat the symptoms of severe allergic reactions.)
3. Help the person administer the medication, and then summon more advanced personnel, if you are alone.
4. Make sure the person is sitting in a comfortable position while you wait for help to arrive, or have the person lie down if they are showing signs of shock.
5. Assist with the administration of a second dose of epinephrine in 5 to 10 minutes if signs and symptoms persist and EMS has not arrived on scene.

Question 7

What steps do you follow when assisting with administering epinephrine via an Epi-Pen™ ?

Answer 7

PLEASE NOTE: If the person is unable to self-administer the medication, you may need to help. You may assist a person with using an epinephrine auto-injector when the person has a previous diagnosis of anaphylaxis and has been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector, the person is having signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, the person requests your help using an auto-injector and your state laws permit giving assistance.

1. Check the label on the auto-injector. If the medication is visible, check to make sure the medication is clear, not cloudy. If the medication is expired or cloudy, do not use it.
2. Determine whether the person has already given themselves a dose of the medication. If the person has, help them administer a second dose only if EMS personnel are delayed and the person is still having signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis 5 to 10 minutes after administering the first dose.
3. Locate the outer-middle of one thigh to use as the injection site. Make sure there is nothing in the way, such as seams or items in a pocket.
4. Grasp the auto-injector firmly in one fist and pull off the safety cap with your other hand.
5. While holding the leg steady above the knee, hold the orange tip (needle end) against the person’s outer thigh so that the auto-injector is at a 90degree angle to the thigh.
6. Quickly and firmly push the tip straight into the outer thigh. You may hear and feel a click.
7. Hold the auto-injector firmly in place for 3 seconds, then remove it from the thigh and massage the injection site with a gloved hand for several seconds or have the victim massage the thigh if gloves are not immediately available.
8. Check the person’s condition and watch to see how they respond to the medication. If the person is still having signs and symptoms 5 to 10 minutes after administering the first dose and EMS personnel have not arrived, help the person to administer a second dose.
9. Place the used auto-injector in its plastic carrying case or another hardplastic container with the tip facing down. Give it to EMS personnel when they arrive.