anaphylaxis and allergy

Question 1

what are featuires of an IgE mediated allergy?

Answer 1

• urticaria
• angiodema
• vomitting
• wheeze
• rhinitis

Question 2

how can allergy be tested for?

Answer 2

• skin prick test- wait for wheal and flare response
• serum specific IGE- when skin prick test cant be done due to extensive ecxema, steroids, antihistamine ect.
• food/allergen challenge- dont at the hospital as there is a risk of anaphylaxix (go0ld standard)

Question 3

how does anaphylaxis present?

Answer 3

• wheeze
• upper airway obstruction
• shock and hypotension
• crampy abdo pain, d&v

Question 4

can MMR vaccine be given to children with egg allergy?

Answer 4

• it no longer ocntains eggs so yes it can. if there has been a previuous anaphylactic reaction to egg then the vaccine should be given in hospital

Question 5

which vaccines cannot be given if a child has egg allergy?

Answer 5

• influenza vaccine

- yellow fever vaccine

Question 6

what is the treatment for anaphylaxis

Answer 6

• A-E approach
• remove allergen where possible
• IM adrenaline (1:1000)
• IV hydrocortisone and antihistamine to dampen the ongoing response

Question 7

how to use an epi pen?

Answer 7

• cap off- blue to the sky- orange to the thigh
• check the expiry date
• inject into thigh using a swinging motion
• start counting once you hear the click
• count to 10 slowly
• after that take the pen off and rub the thigh for 10s
• dont need to worry about the needle, a shield will ocver the needle
• go to the hospital straight away after
• to help with dizziness lie on the floor with legs elevated
• can inject every 15 minutes
• epi pens are single use only- at the hospital they may give you another or a prescription for another