Overview of Anaphylaxis
Is there anything you have had an allergic reaction to? Well, some individuals are so allergic to something that their bodies respond so rapidly and in several dissimilar ways that their lives can be in jeopardy. GP’s call this serious allergic response ‘anaphylaxis’.
Disclaimer / More Information
Anaphylaxis can be life threatening and medical attention may be vital for survival. The information posted on this page on anaphylaxis and breathing emergencies is for learning purposes only. To learn to recognize and manage anaphylaxis, asthma, shock, hyperventilation and other breathing emergencies register for a first aid course near you today.
Causes of Anaphylaxis
There are four key causes.
- Allergic to certain types of food
The most frequent causes of anaphylaxis are peanuts, eggs, milk, nuts, soy, fish, shellfish and sesame. However, there are rare instances where other kinds of food can be a trigger to some individuals.
Even the smallest amount of food can cause some individuals to be really ill. Even being in the vicinity of the food can cause people to become ill, even if the person doesn’t actually consume it.
- Allergic to certain bites and stings from insects
The most frequent insect bites that lead to severe allergic responses are wasp stings, bee stings and certain types of ants. Occasionally fire ants and ticks can also be an issue.
- Allergic to latex
A type of rubber which might be used for gloves, certain types of first aid dressings or even in toys, etc.
- Allergic to certain types of medications.
Serious allergic reactions can be caused by medications such as aspirin or penicillin.
Identifying An Allergic Reaction
If somebody is having an allergic response to something, they might have one or more of the subsequent signs.
- A stinging feeling in and nearby the mouth.
- Rashes or red blemishes on the skin.
- The lips, face, and eyes look bloated.
- Feeling ill or actually feeling nauseous.
- Breathing is difficult because there is inflammation in the throat or airways to the lungs.
- The individual might have a hoarse voice or can’t speak.
- They might cough and be out of breath.
- The individual could go pale, flaccid and collapse.
- The individual might have terribly irritated skin, where they are rubbing and scratching to try to fix the irritation.
- There might be a rash or large itchy bumps on the skin.
- They might look enlarged.
What To Do
If somebody at school starts puffing up, gasping for air and itching inform a teacher straight away. The teacher will administer the injection and phone for an ambulance.
If you are with your pal outside school and they have trouble breathing, then ask the nearest adult to phone for an ambulance. The dispatcher answering the phone will be able to dispatch an ambulance, and also be able to provide guidelines on what to do.