Anaphylaxis
Overview
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergicreaction that happens very quickly. It can be caused by food, medicine or insect stings. Call 999 if you think you or someone else is having an anaphylactic reaction.
Symptoms
Symptoms of anaphylaxis happen very quickly. They usually start within minutes of coming into contact with something you're allergic to, such as a food, medicine or insect sting. Symptoms include: swelling of your throat and tonguedifficulty breathing or breathing very fastdifficulty swallowing, tightness in your throat or a hoarse voicewheezing, coughing or noisy breathingfeeling tired or confusedfeeling faint, dizzy or faintingskin that feels cold to the touchblue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue – if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet You may also have a rash that's swollen, raised or itchy.
Causes
Anaphylaxis happens when your body has a serious reaction to something you're allergic to. Allergies that can sometimes cause anaphylaxis include: foods such as nuts, cows' milk, eggs, fish or sesame seedsmedicines such as antibiotics ornon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)insect stings, such as wasp and bee stingsanaestheticslatex (a type of rubber found in some rubber gloves and condoms) Sometimes it's not known what caused an anaphylactic reaction.
Treatment
Anaphylaxis needs to be treated in hospital immediately. Treatments can include: adrenaline given by an injection or drip in your veinoxygenfluids given by a drip in your vein You'll usually stay in hospital for around 2 to 12 hours, but you may need to stay longer. Before you leave hospital, you should be given 2 adrenaline auto-injectors, or a prescription for them, to keep in case you have another anaphylactic reaction. An adrenaline auto-injector is a special device for injecting adrenaline yourself. You'll be told how and when to use it. You should be shown how to use your adrenaline auto-injector each time you're prescribed it. You may also be referred to an allergy specialist for tests and advice.
Prevention
There are some things you can do to help prevent anaphylaxis or prepare for if it happens. avoid the food, medicine or thing that you're allergic to – for example, if you have a food allergy, check food labels carefully and tell staff at restaurants and cafes about your allergy avoid the food, medicine or thing that you're allergic to – for example, if you have a food allergy, check food labels carefully and tell staff at restaurants and cafes about your allergy carry 2 adrenaline auto-injectors with you at all times carry 2 adrenaline auto-injectors with you at all times check your adrenaline auto-injector expiry dates regularly and get new ones before they expire check your adrenaline auto-injector expiry dates regularly and get new ones before they expire practise how to use your adrenaline auto-injector by using a trainer injector (an injector that has no needle or medicine in it) – you can order one online from the company that makes your injector practise how to use your adrenaline auto-injector by using a trainer injector (an injector that has no needle or medicine in it) – you can order one online from the company that makes your injector teach friends, family, colleagues or carers how and when to use your adrenaline auto-injector teach friends, family, colleagues or carers how and when to use your adrenaline auto-injector use your adrenaline auto-injector if you think you may have anaphylaxis, even if your symptoms are mild use your adrenaline auto-injector if you think you may have anaphylaxis, even if your symptoms are mild wear medical alert jewellery such as a bracelet with information about your allergy – this tells other people about your allergy in case of an emergency wear medical alert jewellery such as a bracelet with information about your allergy – this tells other people about your allergy in case of an emergency do not leave your adrenaline auto-injectors anywhere too hot or cold such as in the fridge or outside in the sun do not leave your adrenaline auto-injectors anywhere too hot or cold such as in the fridge or outside in the sun