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Mild to moderate allergic reactions (such as hives or swelling) may not always occur before severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) WATCH FOR ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS OF ANAPHYLAXIS- Difficult or noisy breathing- Swelling of tongue - Swelling or tightness in throat - Difficulty talking or hoarse voice - Wheeze or persistent cough - Persistent dizziness or collapse - Pale and floppy (young children)ACTION FOR ANAPHYLAXIS 1 LAY PERSON FLAT - do NOT allow them to stand or walk • If breathing is difficult allow them to sit with legs outstretched • Hold young children flat, not upright If unconscious, place in recovery position 2 GIVE ADRENALINE INJECTOR 3 Phone ambulance - 000 (AU) or 111 (NZ) 4 Phone family/emergency contact 5 Further adrenaline may be given if no response after 5 minutes 6 Transfer person to hospital for at least 4 hours of observation IF IN DOUBT GIVE ADRENALINE INJECTOR ALWAYS give adrenaline injector FIRST, if someone has SEVERE AND SUDDEN BREATHING DIFFICULTY (including wheeze, persistent cough or hoarse voice), even if there are no skin symptoms. THEN SEEK MEDICAL HELP. Adrenaline injectors are given as follows: • 150 mcg for children 7.5-20kg • 300 mcg for children over 20kg and adults • 300 mcg or 500 mcg for children and adults over 50kg If adrenaline is accidentally injected (e.g. into a thumb) phone your local poisons information centre. Continue to follow this plan for the person with the allergic reaction. © ASCIA 2021 This document has been developed for use as a poster, or
to be stored with general use adrenaline injectors. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. What to doIf someone has symptoms of anaphylaxis:
If you're having an anaphylactic reaction, you can follow these steps yourself if you feel able to. Adrenaline auto-injectorsPeople with potentially serious allergies are often prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors to carry at all times. These can help stop an anaphylactic reaction becoming life threatening. They should be used as soon as a serious reaction is suspected, either by the person experiencing anaphylaxis or someone helping them. Make sure you're aware how to use your type of auto-injector correctly. And, carry 2 of them with you at all times. There are 3 main types of adrenaline auto-injector, which are used in slightly different ways. These are:
Instructions are also included on the side of each injector if you forget how to use it or someone else needs to give you the injection. Positioning and resuscitationSomeone experiencing anaphylaxis should be placed in the correct position:
If the person's breathing or heart stops, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be performed immediately. In hospitalYou will need to go to hospital for observation – usually for 6-12 hours – as the symptoms can occasionally return during this period. While in hospital:
You should be able to go home when the symptoms are under control and it's thought they will not return quickly. This will usually be after a few hours, but may be longer if the reaction was severe. You may be asked to take antihistamines (an anti-allergy medicine) and steroid tablets for a few days after leaving hospital to help stop your symptoms returning. You will also probably be asked to attend a follow-up appointment with an allergy specialist so you can be given advice about how you can avoid further episodes of anaphylaxis. Adrenaline auto-injectors may be provided for emergency use between leaving hospital and attending the follow-up appointment. Page last reviewed: 29 November 2019 |