What is Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, it can occur when someone is exposed to something they are allergic to (known as an allergen). Reactions normally begin within minutes and progress rapidly, but they can be delayed by up to 2-3 hours. Anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening and always requires an emergency medical response.
Any allergic reaction, including this most extreme form, occurs because the bodies immune system reacts inappropriately to the presence of a substance it wrongly perceives to be a threat. The symptoms of Anaphylaxis are caused by the sudden release of chemical substances including histamine from cells in the blood and tissues where they are stored. Minute quantities of the allergen can cause a reaction as the mechanism is so sensitive.
The UK has some of the highest prevalence rates of allergic conditions in the world, with over 20% of the population affected by one or more allergic disorder. (M. L. Levy, 2004) In addition, allergies seem to be becoming more and more severe; in the 20 years to 2012 there was a 615% increase in the rate of hospital admissions for anaphylaxis in the UK. (Turner, Paul J., et al, 2015)
Common Allergies
Nuts and bee/wasp stings are the most thought of allergen that may cause people to have a severe allergic reaction, but there are many other allergens too:
- Food allergens including sesame seeds, shellfish, dairy products, eggs and fruit can b
- Non-food allergens can include natural latex, penicillin or any other drug or injection. In some people, exercise can trigger a severe reaction, either on its own or in combination with other factors.
Symptoms of Anaphylaxis
It is important to recognise the symptoms of Anaphylaxis as it can become life-threatening very quickly.
The symptoms include:
- Generalised flushing of the skin
- Nettle rash (hives) anywhere on the body
- Sense of impending doom
- Swelling of the throat and mouth
- Difficulty in swallowing or speaking (this and the above may lead to noisy raspy breathing)
- Alterations in heart rate
- Severe asthma
- Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
- Sudden feeling of weakness (drop in blood pressure)
- Collapse and unconsciousness
Not all of these symptoms may be present, a person may only experience one or a handful of them.
What Should You Do?
If you recognise these symptoms or the person recognises them in themselves, it’s time to work fast. People who have been diagnosed with the condition should have their own medication on them in the form of an Adrenaline Auto-Injector. Adrenaline is the name used in the UK for the drug within an Autoinjector, Epinephrine is the internationally recognised name.
Adrenaline should be administered by the patient themselves using their prescribed auto-injector. Where they are unable, either due to weakness or unconsciousness, any person can administer it to them to save a life.
Usually, in the UK The Medicines Act means that a layperson cannot administer prescription medication to another person. This is stated in Regulation 214 but the exception to this is the administration of specific prescription-only medicines, including adrenaline, when the purpose is to save a life. This is stated in Regulation 238.
The injection is given intramuscularly as this is the safest route and the injectors are designed for use in the upper, outer thigh muscle of the leg. The injection can be administered through clothing if needed.
- Find the upper outer thigh, hold the injector in your fist, with the thumb wrapped around, not on top. Remove the safety cap and jab the device firmly into the leg. Hold the device in place for the time stated on the packaging. Remove and store the injector safely, rub the injection site for a few seconds.
- Call an ambulance (if not already called) even if symptoms are improving, make a note of the time the auto-injector was used so you can tell paramedics.
- Have the patient lie on the floor and raise their legs slightly if this does not restrict their breathing. Stay with them until the arrival of the ambulance.
Further information about this condition, including downloadable posters for staff awareness and online training can be found at www.anaphlaxis.org.uk
Written by Neil Ward, Training Consultant at WA Management
Life-threatening allergies are becoming more and more common so it is open to know that you would be able to help a colleague if anaphylaxis did occur. If you would like to have First Aid training on this condition or any others, get in touch with us so we can arrange the First Aid course best for you!