Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is life threatening. It is the most severe form of a food allergy.

It is the most dangerous reaction. It occurs within seconds or minutes of exposure to the allergen.

Anaphylaxis needs immediate attention and should be treated as a medical emergency.

The most important management strategy for anaphylaxis is to avoid all known triggers and to always carry your adrenaline auto-injector (AAI).

Anaphylaxis is the reaction after a person has been exposed to something that they are extremely sensitive to such foods as peanuts, insect stings or even some medicines can cause such a reaction. It requires a medical diagnosis.

Anaphylaxis is quite unpredictable.

You shouldn’t take an antihistamine for an anaphylactic reaction. An injection of adrenaline is needed to treat the allergic reaction.

Once diagnosed you will be provided by your doctor a Action Plan for treatment.

An action plan is essential. An action plan will describe the triggers, the symptoms and signs to look out for and how to use the Epipen, contact details of Ambulance and carer/parent contact as this is necessary after the Epipen is given- immediately.

Anaphylaxis is rare, and most people recover if action is quickly taken and medical intervention sought.

For those who have been assessed by a doctor and who are not thought to be at high risk of anaphylaxis and therefore have not been prescribed an adrenaline auto injector, an ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions should be completed and provided by your medical doctor.

Each person’s reaction may vary but some of the symptoms may include:

• Swelling of the tongue or/and throat and tightness.
• Difficulty in breathing or noisy breathing.
• Loss of consciousness and/or collapse.
• Pale and floppy, etc.

Additional less life threatening symptoms may include:

• Swelling of the face, lips and eyes.
• Hives.
• Vomiting or stomach pains/cramps.

A diagnosis is required.  As part of the diagnosis the doctor will devise a Action Plan to manage the condition. Adrenaline is the first line treatment for severe allergic reactions and can be administered via an auto-injector called the EpiPen®.

In order to identify the triggers a doctor will ask questions, and if necessary perform tests.

• Call ‘000’ immediately
• Administer an adrenaline. Adrenaline injection is an intramuscular injection of adrenaline (usually given into the muscle of the outer thigh) is used to treat the allergic reaction. Adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) is the treatment once you are diagnosed. It is critical to always carry a dose of injectable adrenaline. In Australia, the two brands of adrenaline auto-injector devices are EpiPen and AnaPen. They are available on prescription from your doctor. Injectable adrenaline comes in two dose sizes: one for larger children and adults, and one for children who weigh between 10 kg and 20 kg.
• It is important to understand that the administration is very different for adults or children.
• Follow the Action Plan.

• Education on the triggers, prevention and treatment.
• Avoid triggers. This may include learning about the hidden triggers in foods.
• Advise all services and people that your child interacts with able their diagnosis and treatment. This includes providing services with a current copy of the Action Plan and EpiPen.
• Always carry a EpiPen.
• Review of diagnosis and Action Plan with your doctor.