Anaphylaxis Treatment

Understanding Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction. It causes 20 deaths each year in the UK. It can affect anyone. The main causes are certain foods, insect stings, and medicines.

Severe allergic reactions can be dangerous, causing breathing problems, a fast heartbeat, and skin rash. It often needs medical help. Treatments include adrenaline auto-injectors like EpiPen and Jext. People can use these themselves. With quick action, most people fully recover.

Recognising signs of Anaphylaxis

Signs of anaphylactic reactions vary and may include:

• Feeling hot or flushed

• A lump in the throat or difficulty swallowing

• Skin rash, hives, or pale skin

• Feeling sick or vomiting

• Upset stomach or loose stools

• Fast or irregular heartbeat

• Stomach pain

• Runny nose

• Wheezing or trouble breathing

• Swollen tongue or lips

• Pins and needles sensation in hands, feet, scalp, or mouth

Untreated, it can lead to anaphylactic shock (allergic shock). Signs of shock include:

• Trouble breathing

• Confusion

• Dizziness

• Sudden weakness

• Loss of consciousness

Call 999 for an ambulance during a severe allergic reaction.

Causes and risk factors

Severe allergic reactions can be caused by:

• Certain medicines, like penicillin

• Animal hair, like cats or dogs

• Foods like nuts, shellfish, milk, or eggs

• Insect stings

• Allergy treatment components

• Latex

• Exercise or hay fever

If unsure about your symptoms, ask your doctor for an allergy test. You're at higher risk if you've had a severe allergic reaction, have allergies, or a family history of it.

Managing anaphylactic shock

Use an adrenaline injector (like EpiPen) right away for symptoms. Do not take other medicines if you have trouble breathing. Seek medical help even if you feel better. Carry two injectors in case symptoms return.

If someone else is having an anaphylactic reaction:

• Call 999 for a medical emergency

• Help them into a comfortable position

• Lift their legs to keep blood flowing to important body parts

• Give adrenaline if available

• Chest compressions may be needed until help arrives.

Adrenaline treatment

Adrenaline injection is the best treatment. It helps by:

• Tightening blood vessels to reduce swelling

• Increasing blood pressure

• Improving breathing

EpiPen injectors are easy to use and come ready with adrenaline.

Dosage

The dosage of adrenaline depends on body weight:

• Adults: 3 mg for those over 25 kg (about 55 lb or more)

• Children (3 years old): 0.15 mg for those between 7.5 to 25 kg (about 16 to 55 lb)

Getting adrenaline auto-injectors

You can buy an EpiPen online from Click Pharmacy. Fill out a check-up form on the website. If approved, your adrenaline auto-injector will be sent quickly through Royal Mail 1st class or next-day delivery.

Comparing EpiPen and Jext

Both EpiPen and Jext are used for the same purpose. They have adrenaline to save lives during bad allergic reactions. The main difference is in how they are used.

Asthma and Anaphylaxis

People with asthma are more at risk of severe allergic reactions. It’s important to manage your asthma well. Some symptoms of severe allergic reactions are similar to asthma attacks. If unsure, use your severe allergic reaction treatment first, then your asthma medication.

Diagnosing

Severe allergic reaction is found by talking about your past allergic reactions with your doctor. If you think you have a severe allergic reaction, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor, especially if you’ve had severe allergic reactions before.

Protection

If you have a severe allergy, avoid all known causes. If you have food allergies, read ingredient labels and tell staff when eating out. If you are prone to insect stings, use insect spray and don’t walk without shoes. Always carry two adrenaline auto-injectors and know how to use them in an emergency.