Allergic reactions emergency first aid

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

and

asthma attacks

related to allergies need emergency first aid.

If you (or a family member) have previously had

asthma

, or a severe allergic reaction, your doctor (GP) or nurse practitioner will complete an

Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Action Plan for

Anaphylaxis

External Link

. Follow the plan if the symptoms of an allergic reaction appear.

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include:

difficult or noisy breathing

swelling of the tongue

swelling or tightness in the throat

wheeze or persistent cough

difficulty talking or hoarse voice

persistent dizziness or collapse

pale and floppy (young children)

abdominal pain, vomiting – these are signs of anaphylaxis for

insect allergy

Signs of mild to moderate allergic reaction include:

swelling of the lips, face and eyes

hives

or welts

tingling mouth

abdominal pain, vomiting – these are signs of anaphylaxis for insect allergy.

Mild to moderate allergic reactions (such as hives or swelling) may not always occur before anaphylaxis.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms, you are at greater risk of having another severe reaction. Ask your doctor to refer you to a

clinical immunology/allergy

specialist

External Link

Emergency first aid for severe allergic reactions

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is life-threatening and requires

urgent

action

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Lay the person flat – do not allow them to stand or walk.

Give adrenaline injector (such as EpiPen® or Anapen®) into the outer mid-thigh.

Phone an ambulance – call triple zero (000).

Phone family or emergency contact.

Further adrenaline may be given if there is no response after 5 minutes.

Transfer person to hospital for at least 4 hours of observation.

If in doubt, give adrenaline injector.

Commence

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)

at any time if person is unresponsive and not breathing normally.

Always give adrenaline injector first, and then asthma reliever puffer if someone with known asthma and allergy to

food

insects

medication

has sudden breathing difficulty (including wheeze, persistent cough or hoarse voice) even if there are no skin symptoms.

Be prepared for severe allergic reactions

If you are at risk of a severe allergic reaction, make sure you:

Have an

ASCIA Action Plan for

Anaphylaxis

External Link

Carry a mobile phone to call for help when needed.

Carry an adrenaline injector (EpiPen® or Anapen®) to treat a severe allergic reaction.

Consider wearing medical identification jewellery – this increases the likelihood that adrenaline will be administered in an emergency.

Avoid medication (where possible) that may increase the severity of an allergic reaction or complicate its treatment – such as beta blockers.

Avoid the known allergen where possible.

Adrenaline injectors

Adrenaline works fast to reverse a severe allergic reaction, and

adrenaline

injectors

External Link

(EpiPens® and Anapen®) are designed for use by people who are not medically trained. If you are at risk of anaphylaxis, your doctor will have prescribed an adrenaline injector.

Emergency first aid for asthma attacks

If you have asthma, your doctor will prescribe medication and help you to develop a plan to

manage your asthma

and an action plan for asthma attacks.

Asthma can be well controlled with

medication

in most people.

If you, or someone you know, are having an asthma attack, follow the asthma action plan. In case of emergency, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. Tell the operator that someone is having an asthma attack.

Allergic reactions emergency first aid

Allergic reactions emergency first aid

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