Anaphylaxis Treatment

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that causes 20 deaths annually in the UK. Anaphylaxis is not a common condition, but people of all ages can be affected. The leading causes of an allergic reaction include certain foods, insect stings and medicines.

An anaphylactic reaction can be life threatning, causing breathing problems, irregular heartbeat, skin rash and may require medical attention. Anaphylaxis treatments include different adrenaline auto injector brands such as Epipen and Jext, which the patient himself can also administer. With a quick response, most people make a full recovery.

What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis?

An anaphylactic reaction occurs as a result of coming in contact with a substance you have an extreme allergic reaction to. Its symptoms may include one or more of the following;

• Feeling too hot or flushed
• A sensation of having a lump in the throat or difficulty swallowing
• The sudden appearance of skin disorders, like rashes, hives, paleness, etc.
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Abdominal pain
• Runny nose
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Swollen tongue or lips
• Tingling hands, feet, scalp, or mouth

An anaphylactic reaction may progress to anaphylactic shock if left untreated. Its symptoms may include;

• Difficulty breathing
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Fatigue or a sudden feeling of weakness
• Falling unconscious

If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

What are the causes and risk factors of anaphylaxis?

Typically, anaphylaxis is caused by an overreaction of the immune system by coming into contact with something your body is severely allergic to. In some cases, anaphylaxis can progress to a full-blown anaphylactic shock. Common triggers for severe allergic reactions are;

• Certain medicines, like penicillin
• Animal hair, like cats or dogs
• Certain foods, like nuts, shellfish, milk, or eggs
• Insect stings
• Compounds used in immunotherapy
• Latex

There are some rare cases when simple exercise or hay fever may trigger anaphylaxis. If you are unclear on what triggers your symptoms, you may need to consult your GP to run an allergen test to identify possible triggers. 

The potential occurrence of anaphylaxis may increase if you have previously suffered from an anaphylaxis reaction, have existing allergies, or have a family history of anaphylaxis.

What to do in cases of anaphylactic shock?

If you carry an epinephrine auto injector or EpiPen with you, immediately use it at the onset of symptoms. Also, do not take any other oral medicine when having difficulty breathing.

Even if your symptoms subside after taking the adrenaline auto injector, seek immediate medical attention because there is a risk of the symptoms recurring as soon as the medicine wears off. Due to the chance of recurring symptoms, always carry two adrenaline auto injectors with you.

If anaphylaxis occurs because of a trigger, please remove it immediately. For example, if an insect sting causes the symptoms, immediately remove it from your body. Be very careful when removing the stinger, and make sure to remove it all.

If someone is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction in front of you, please do the following;

• Call 999 for a medical emergency
• Get the patient in a comfortable position
• Elevate their legs to ensure the blood keeps flowing to the vital organs
• If available, administer a dose of adrenaline immediately
• If necessary, perform CPR until the medical team arrives

Adrenaline for anaphylaxis

The best method of anaphylaxis treatment is injecting epinephrine (adrenaline) immediately after the onset of symptoms. An appropriate dose of adrenaline will reduce the severity of the symptoms and allergic reaction. When experiencing severe allergic reactions, every passing second matters.

The adrenalin administered through an auto injector works to constricts the blood vessels to reduce swelling, in addition to increasing blood pressure. It also works to relax the lungs and throat, making it easier to breathe properly. Lastly, it prevents further adverse reaction from continuing.

EpiPen auto injector is the ideal first-line anaphylaxis treatment. The device is pre-filled with the adrenaline necessary to treat severe allergic reactions. For the sake of convenience, the medicine is designed to be self-injected or administered by a carer and takes effect immediately.

Adrenaline dose for anaphylaxis

The ideal dose of adrenaline depends on your body weight as follows: 

Adrenaline dose for Adults

A dose of 0.3mg adrenaline for a person weighing over 25kg (3 stone - 13lbs). 

Adrenaline dose for 3 year old (child)

A dose of 0.15 mg for children weighing between 7.5 to 25kg (1 stone – 3lbs to 3 stone – 13lbs).

Can I buy an adrenaline auto injector for anaphylaxis online?

You can buy an EpiPen for the treatment of anaphylaxis online from Click Pharmacy. Complete a quick assessment form on our website, and if approved, you will be prescribed an adrenaline auto injector. Your adrenaline injections will be delivered to your door in discreet packaging through Royal Mail 1^st class or next day delivery service.

What is the difference between Epipen and Jext?

Jext and Epipen are essentially for the same purpose. Both auto injectors contain life saving adrenaline medication for an emergency situation caused by an allergic that can be fatal. The only difference between the two is the way they are administered. 

Asthma and anaphylaxis

Asthma suffers are more vulnerable to severe allergic reactions which can cause anaphylaxis. It is therefore important that your asthma is well managed.

Some symptoms of anaphylaxis resemble those of an asthma attack. If unsure which one you are experiencing, administer your anaphylaxis treatment first, followed by your asthma medication.

How is anaphylaxis diagnosed?

In general, anaphylaxis is diagnosed whenever individuals extensively discuss their past allergic reactions with their GPs. In addition to this, you can get yourself checked for anaphylaxis if you have any suspicion to believe that you might have the condition. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss your case with your GP, especially if you have had a severe allergic reaction in the past.

How can I protect myself from anaphylaxis

If you suffer from a severe allergy, you should avoid all identified triggers. If you have food allergies, always read the ingredients and inform the staff when eating out. If you are vulnerable to insect stings and bites try to always use insect repellent and refrain from walking barefoot.

Make sure you always carry two adrenaline auto-injectors at all times and know how to use it in case of an emergency.