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Managing Severe Allergies within Schools

Managing Severe Allergies within Schools. What is Anaphylaxis?. Anaphylaxis is a severe systemic allergic reaction. At the extreme end of the allergic spectrum. The whole body is affected usually within minutes of exposure to the allergen. It can take seconds or several hours.

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Managing Severe Allergies within Schools

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  1. Managing Severe Allergieswithin Schools

  2. What is Anaphylaxis? • Anaphylaxis is a severe systemic allergic reaction. • At the extreme end of the allergic spectrum. • The whole body is affected usually within minutes of exposure to the allergen. • It can take seconds or several hours.

  3. Definition of Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis involves one or both of two features: - • Respiratory difficulty (swelling of the airway or asthma). • Hypotension (fainting, collapse or unconsciousness).

  4. What are the symptoms? • Swelling of the mouth or throat. • Difficulty in swallowing or speaking. • Alterations in the heart rate. • Hives anywhere on the body. • Abdominal cramps and nausea. • Sudden feeling of weakness. • Difficulty breathing. • Collapse and unconsciousness.

  5. What exactly is going on? • An anaphylaxis reaction is caused by the sudden release of chemical substances, including histamine, from cells in the blood and tissues where they are stored. • The release is triggered by the reaction between allergic antibodies (IgE) and the allergen.

  6. Types of Reaction • Uni-phasic – rapidly developing severe reaction involving the airway or circulation. • Bi-phasic – early oral and abdominal symptoms, then a symptom-free period of 1-2 hours, then increasing symptoms involving breathing and circulation.

  7. Peanuts Tree nuts Milk Egg Sesame Fish Shellfish Wasp Bee Latex Penicillin Blood products Drugs Kiwi Common causes

  8. Treatments Adrenaline is the mainstay of treatment:- • Reverses swelling. • Relieves asthma. • Constricts the blood vessels. • Stimulates the heartbeats. • Antihistamines and asthma inhalers

  9. Devices Epipen Auto injector: - • Adult dose 0.3mgs • Child dose 0.15mgs • 2year shelf life

  10. Devices Anapen auto injector: - • Adult dose 0.3mgs • Child dose 0.15mgs • 18 – 24 month shelf life

  11. Storage • Accessible. • Avoid extremes of temperature. • Clearly labelled. • In date.

  12. Management in schools • Allergen avoidance. • Early recognition of symptoms. • Crisis management.

  13. Allergen avoidance • Know the child, and their allergies. • Be allergy aware and risk assess. • Special occasions. • School trips. • Cookery lessons, science experiments. • School pets, bird tables.

  14. Crisis Management • Alleviating fear • Indemnity insurance. • Individual protocols.

  15. What to do in an allergic reaction? • Stay calm. • Call for help. • Using protocol assess the reaction. • Give emergency treatment. • Make a note of the time. • Monitor closely until ambulance arrives.

  16. How to use an Auto Injector

  17. Additional Medication • Anti-histamine medication can be given, if prescribed. See Childs Health Care Plan • If asthmatic • give reliever via spacer (2 puffs) another 8 puffs • 1 puff per minute can be given be

  18. Who’s responsible for what? • Written consent. • Provide school with full information. • Ensure medicine is in date.

  19. A few things to think about! “ Will a supply teacher know who I am?” Kissing can seriously damage your health! Other training needs? e.g. Breakfast and after school clubs, school discos, sports clubs. School visitors, bus drivers/escorts. Mid-day supervisors, catering staff.

  20. Want more information? • Contact the Anaphylaxis Campaign Tel: 01252 542029 www.anaphylaxis.org.uk www.allergyinschools.org.uk Schools pack Video/DVD Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings. DH/DfES.

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