Pharmacy Unscripted - Allergies

Question 1

When do allergies occur?

Answer 1

Allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts to a particular food or substance as though it’s harmful.

Question 2

What is an allergen?

Answer 2

The substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen.

Question 3

List some common allergens?

Answer 3

Grass and tree pollen – an allergy to these is known as hayfever or allergic rhinitis. Different plants and trees shed their pollen at different times of the year, resulting in a hayfever season that can run from January to September, depending on which pollen the person is allergic to

Dust mites – most likely triggered by a substance in dust mite droppings

Animals – this is often an allergy to proteins found in the animal’s flakes of skin (dander), saliva, urine or even fine particles from bird feathers known as ‘feather dust’

Food – there are 14 major food allergens including gluten, crustaceans, eggs, nuts, soya and sulphur dioxide (sulphites)
Insect bites and stings
Medicines – including ibuprofen, aspirin and certain antibiotics

Latex – used to make some gloves and condoms

Mould – these can release small particles into the air that are breathed in

Household chemicals – including those in detergents and hair dyes.

Question 4

What are the symptoms that could indicate an allergic reaction?

Answer 4

• Sneezing
• A runny or blocked nose
• Red, itchy, watery eyes
• Wheezing and coughing
• A red, itchy rash
• Worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms

Question 5

For any suspected food allergies, what should patients do?

Answer 5

customers should see their GP who will be able to make an appropriate referral, if required.

Question 6

What should patients be advised to keep for food allergies?

Answer 6

can be advised to start a diary to record the time and duration of symptoms, any food or drink consumed and any environmental factors.
Avoiding allergens can be easier to achieve with food allergies by using careful food preparation and reading ingredient labels.

Question 7

What formulations are antihistamines available in?

Answer 7

Available as tablets, liquids and eye drops. There are many different antihistamine products available without prescription and customers may need to try a few before finding the one that works best for them.

Question 8

Can combination of products be used by patients for allergies?

Answer 8

Yes can combine treatments to achieve full symptom control. For example, a customer with hayfever may use a steroid nasal spray daily to help manage symptoms and then also use an antihistamine tablet and/or eyedrops when symptoms are particularly severe.

Question 9

What can steroid medicines help with in allergies?

Answer 9

Can help reduce inflammation caused by an allergic reaction. These are available as nasal sprays, which also have a preventative effect when used regularly, and creams for skin conditions such as eczema and contact dermatitis.

Question 10

What can decongestants be used for with allergies?

Answer 10

Can be used as a short-term treatment for a blocked nose. Available as tablets, capsules, nasal sprays or liquids.

Question 11

What are alternative options for people who want to avoid taking medicines for their allergies?

Answer 11

Barrier nasal sprays line the nasal passages, trapping airborne allergens and therefore preventing the allergic reaction.

Saline nasal sprays/washes clear and cleanse nasal passages, eliminating allergens that are in contact with the nasal lining.

Eye drops produce a protective barrier to help prevent the entry of allergens.

Eye masks cool the eye area and help calm inflammation associated with eye allergies.

Lozenges form a protective barrier on irritated mucous membranes in the mouth and throat.

Barrier balms are applied around the nostrils and eye sockets to help trap airborne allergens.

Question 12

What is anaphylaxis?

Answer 12

A severe allergic reaction can result in anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency and can be very serious if not treated immediately. It usually develops suddenly and gets worse very quickly.

Question 13

What are the symptoms of anaphylactic shock>

Answer 13

feeling lightheaded or faint; breathing difficulties such as fast, shallow breathing; wheezing; a fast heartbeat; clammy skin; confusion and anxiety; collapsing; or losing consciousness.

Question 14

If someone has anaphylactic shock, what should you do?

Answer 14

Call another member of staff for help such as the pharmacist or first aider
Call 999 for an ambulance immediately (even if the customer starts to feel better) – mention that you think the person has anaphylaxis
If you know how to use one, use an adrenaline auto-injector
Remove any trigger if possible. For example, carefully remove any stinger stuck in the skin
Lie the person down flat unless they’re unconscious, pregnant or having breathing difficulties
Give another injection after five to 15 minutes if the symptoms do not improve and a second auto-injector is available

Question 15

How can patients reduce dust mites if this is their allergy trigger?

Answer 15

You can advise customers that, whilst it’s impossible to eradicate house dust mites completely, they can reduce them by:

• Reducing soft furnishings, such as cushions, which gather dust
  Washing bedding at 60 degrees
• Keeping windows and doors open as much as possible
• Use a damp cloth when dusting, which stops the dust from getting into the air.