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Lesson 17: Allergies & Anaphylaxis Emergency Reference Guide p. 25-30 Objectives • Describe basics of allergic reactions & treatment • Define anaphylaxis • List signs & symptoms of anaphylaxis • Describe conditions when an injection of epinephrine should be considered • Describe use of EpiPen® and Twinject® systems Objectives (cont’d.) • Describe function of oral antihistamines in anaphylaxis • Discuss when and how much oral antihistamines to use • Describe situations when evacuation is required • Describe how some allergic reactions can be prevented Allergies and Anaphylaxis Overview • The immune system releases histamines in response to presence of foreign substances (i.e. allergens). • Allergic reaction occurs when there is an overproduction of histamines • 2 stages of allergic reactions, life threatening & non-life threatening • Anaphylactic shock is a severe, life threatening allergic reaction Allergies and Anaphylaxis Overview (cont’d.) • Epinephrine is prescription drug that reverses overproduction of histamines • Allergens can be ingested, inhaled, injected, absorbed • What kinds of substances can cause an allergic reaction? Allergies and Anaphylaxis Overview (cont’d.) • Some allergens are: – – – – – Foods Drugs Pollen Bee venom Plant oils (poison ivy, most common) • Know what allergies people in your group have: – Medical forms, medical ID tags – Friends/family history – Medications Signs/Symptoms for Non-Life Threatening Allergies • • • • • • • Stuffy noise/congestion Flushed & itchy skin Sneezing Nasal discharge (i.e. runny nose) Itchy & watery eyes Swelling (i.e. around a bite) Hives (i.e. smooth, itchy, burning patches of skin) Care for non Life Threatening Allergies • Remove allergen, or move patient away from allergen • Help patient self-administer oral antihistamine, if he can swallow & has no known reaction to it Anaphylaxis • Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, & is life threatening • Signs/symptoms can appear in < 5 min & most often in 45 min. to 1hour • Look for medical ID tag for info about allergies, or if patient has a prescribed auto-injector • Determine whether allergen is still present, possibly causing the reaction to re-occur. Signs/Symptoms of Anaphylaxis • Look, listen & feel for signs/symptoms: – Signs/symptoms of non-life threatening allergies followed by shock & altered mental status – Extreme wheezing – Redness of the skin or hives – Inability to speak or only 1 or 2 work clusters – Swelling of face, lips, tongue, sometimes hands & feet Caring for Anaphylaxis • Epinephrine is available commercially by prescription. Injected into patient using EpiPen® or Twinject® • Know who has allergies & who has injectors • Know where the injectors are located • Epinephrine can be ruined by extreme heat or cold (caution: do not use, if expired or liquid cloudy) Caring for Anaphylaxis (cont’d.) • If patient is experiencing anaphylaxis: – Remove allergen – Immediately help patient admin. epinephrine – Repeat injection, if first one fails or relapse occurs – After injection & once patient can breathe and swallow easily: • Help patient self-administer oral antihistamine • Keep patient well hydrated Guidelines for Evacuation • Some allergic reactions & anaphylaxis require rapid evacuation • Non-life threatening reactions can be managed in the field • GO FAST for anyone treated for anaphylaxis. During evacuation keep patient well hydrated Preventing Allergic Reactions • How can allergic reactions be prevented? – Avoid taking a known allergen on a trip (i.e. no peanuts, if someone allergic to them) – Be aware whether any member of group might experience an allergic reaction – Make sure that everyone in group is aware of different types of allergens Preventing Allergic Reactions (cont’d.) • Avoid taking a known allergen on a trip (i.e. no peanuts, if someone allergic to them) • Be aware whether any member of group might experience an allergic reaction • Make sure that everyone in group is aware of different types of allergens Questions??? What else could you add to your First Aid Kit?