Allergic reactions can be potentially fatal and it is essential that you know what to do if you or someone else experiences one. People can react to all sorts of different allergens, from food to insect stings to medication, and recognising the symptoms of an allergic reaction and understanding what action needs to be taken could save their life.
Mild to moderate allergic reactions
Signs may include:
- Hives or a rash
- Tingling mouth
- Swelling of lips, face or eyes
- Stomach pain or vomiting → for most allergic reactions stomach pain/vomiting is a sign of mild/moderate allergic reactions, however for insect sting allergies they can be an indication on anaphylaxis
Action
- If the reaction is caused by an insect sting and it can be seen, flick it out (if ticks are the culprit do not remove them)
- Stay with the affected person
- Give medications such as antihistamines for mild-moderate allergic reactions to treat symptoms
- If reaction is progressing to more severe symptoms or anaphylaxis call for help and locate their epinephrine (adrenaline) autoinjector
- If the affected person has a history of severe allergic reactions do not wait for symptoms of anaphylaxis to show, administer their adrenaline autoinjector immediately.
Severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
Even allergic reactions that begin with only mild symptoms can quickly progress to anaphylaxis which can be potentially life threatening. It is essential to stay with the person having the allergic reaction and continue to watch their symptoms. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. Knowing the signs of anaphylaxis and what to do in an emergency could save someone's life.
Signs may include:
- Difficult, loud or laboured breathing
- Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
- Difficulty talking or hoarseness of voice
- Persistent cough or wheezing
- Racing heart rate/pulse
- Dizziness or collapse
- Stomach pain and vomiting following an insect allergy reaction
- Young children may become pale and floppy
Action
- Administer their adrenaline autoinjector if they are unable to do so themselves (see below)
- Call an ambulance
- Contact their emergency contact
- Do not allow them to stand or walk → Ideally lay them flat on their back with feet raised off the floor, if breathing is difficult get them to sit down or if they are vomiting or bleeding get them to lay on their side
- Keep them calm and stay with them
- If there is no response after 5 minutes of administering the adrenaline autoinjector then further doses may be given if available
- Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the person becomes unresponsive or stops breathing
Using an adrenaline autoinjector
If the person is experiencing anaphylaxis they may be unable to inject their adrenaline themselves. Adrenaline autoinjectors are easy to use and come with simple instructions to allow rapid administration. For a video demonstration please click here.
The key points to remember are:
- Pull off the safety release to ready the device
- Inject the adrenaline into the muscle of the OUTER MID THIGH
- Push down HARD until a click is heard/felt and HOLD for 10 seconds to administer the medicine
The adrenaline administered by the autoinjector is life-saving and its use must not be hesitated over. A single dose of adrenaline is not dangerous to a person not having an allergic reaction (although unnecessary administration can have unpleasant side effects), whereas delaying or withholding the administration of adrenaline can lead to rapid deterioration and death in someone experiencing anaphylaxis. Even if there are any doubts it is essential to give the adrenaline autoinjector FIRST, and then give further treatment such as an asthma reliever or CPR if required.
Patients will usually be given oxygen in the ambulance, and then kept in the hospital for medical observation for a minimum of 4 hours (often longer). Someone should stay with the patient for 24 hours after their allergic reaction to ensure they do not suffer any further complications.
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