By Lydia Scroggs, Head of Clinical Strategy and Policy at St John Ambulance
Would you know what to do if someone had a severe allergic reaction? St John Ambulance would like to share with you some advice on one of the scariest emergency situations you could find yourself in.
What is an allergy?
An allergy is any abnormal reaction of the body’s immune system to an allergen or ‘trigger’ substance. One of the most common allergens is plant pollen, which often causes hay fever. Other allergens include animal hair, dusts, moulds, bee stings and some foods. Common symptoms of mild allergy may include sneezing, runny nose and mild itchy rashes.
If you have an allergy yourself, make sure you have antihistamines available and carry your auto-injector (epi pen) when you are out and about.
What is ANAPHYLAXIS?
ANAPHYLAXIS (sometimes called anaphylactic shock) is a severe allergic reaction that is a life-threatening medical emergency that can develop in just seconds after someone comes into contact with an allergen. It can affect the whole body, and if it’s not treated quickly enough it could be fatal. This situation needs immediate medical attention, and you need to act quickly and calmly. Common triggers of anaphylaxis include bee stings, some foods (commonly nuts), some medicines (most commonly penicillin) and some natural substances (e.g. latex). Someone at risk of anaphylaxis may know what they are allergic and carry medication with them to use in an emergency.
What to look for
- a red, itchy rash, or raised area of skin (weals/hives) often around the neck and face
- red, itchy, watery eyes
- rapid swelling of hands, feet, or face (particularly lips and neck)
- abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
There may also be:
- difficulty in breathing with wheezing or noisy airway
- coughing
- swelling of tongue and throat with puffiness around eyes
- confusion and agitation
- signs of shock leading to collapse and unresponsiveness.
What to do
1. If someone is having a severe allergic reaction, then they may carry medication to inject themselves – an auto-injector. This is a pre-filled injection device containing adrenaline which, when injected, can help reduce the body’s allergic reaction.
2. Check if they have one, and if they do, help them to use it or do it yourself straight away following the instructions.
3. Pull off the safety cap and, holding it with your fist, push the tip firmly against the casualty’s thigh until it clicks, releasing the medication (it can be delivered through clothing).
4. Hold in place for ten seconds (follow the instructions on the device), then remove.
5. Call 999 or 112 and tell ambulance control that you suspect ANAPHYLAXIS.
6. Help them to get comfortable and monitor their breathing and level of response by lying the casualty down with their legs raised. If they are having breathing difficulties, then sit them up.
7. Repeated doses of adrenaline can be given at five-minute intervals (do check this with the ambulance control centre, who will advise) if there is no improvement or the symptoms return.
If you want to find out more, St John Ambulance runs First Aid courses, which anyone can join through our website (sja.org.uk). The charity also has loads of free resources online, including its YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/stjohnambulance), where anyone can learn how to save a life.