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ANAPHYLAXIS. Allergies occur when the immune system becomes unusually sensitive and overreacts to common substances that are normally harmless. Examples are: Foods – eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, wheat, soy, sesame seeds, sulphites and mustard
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Allergies occur when the immune system becomes unusually sensitive and overreacts to common substances that are normally harmless. Examples are: • Foods – eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, wheat, soy, sesame seeds, sulphites and mustard • Insect bites– bees, wasps, hornets and some ants • Medications – penicillin, sulfa drugs • Exercise • Latex – gloves/medical devices Reference: Anaphylaxis Canada (2013) What is an Allergy?
Occurs when a person is exposed to an allergen causing a severe, life-threatening allergic response Reactions occur within minutes or, more rarely, up to a few hours after exposure Reference: Anaphylaxis Canada (2013) What is Anaphylaxis?
Skin – hives , swelling, itching, warmth, redness, rash • Respiratory (breathing) – wheezing, shortness of breath, throat tightness, cough, hoarse voice, chest pain/tightness, nasal congestion or hay fever-like symptoms (runny itchy nose and watery eyes, sneezing), trouble swallowing Reference: Anaphylaxis Canada (2013) Common Symptoms
Gastrointestinal (stomach): nausea, pain/cramps, vomiting, diarrhea Cardiovascular (heart): pale/blue colour, weak pulse, passing out, dizzy/lightheaded, shock Other: anxiety, feeling of “impending doom”, headache, uterine cramps in females, metallic taste Reference: Anaphylaxis Canada (2013) Common Symptoms
Trouble breathing caused by airway swelling A drop in blood pressure causing dizziness, light-headedness, feeling faint or weak, or passing out Reference: Anaphylaxis Canada (2013) Most Dangerous symptoms
Anaphylactic Reaction Normal Appearance Hives and Swelling of face Important: Not all reactions have hives www.natureshomoeo.com.au/image/student.JPG
Swelling of the lips/faces and hives may occur www.sovereign-publications.com/.../ANAPHYL.jpg
Increased independence • Increased risk taking • Eating unsafe food and eating out • Not carrying auto injector • Not telling friends • Not wearing a medical alert ID Reference: Allergy Safe Communities (2013) WHY ARE TEENS AT HIGHER RISK?
Ensure the medical alert list is up-to-date and familiarize yourself with students who have medical conditions and allergies • Review emergency care plans for each student • Note where auto-injectors are stored for each student. Ensure auto-injectors are immediately available • Recognize allergy sources and triggers • Know when and how to administer the auto-injector • Prepare for outdoor and off school ground activities • Encourage students to wear medical alert identification Prevention = Having a Plan
Administer single dose auto-injector • Call 911 • Notify parent/guardian • Administer second auto-injector in 5 to 15 minutes after first dose is given IF symptoms do not improve or if symptoms recur • Have ambulance transport student to hospital *Epinephrine is the only way to reverse the effects of anaphylaxis. Give ASAP **Remember, the epinephrine may only last for 15 minutes, call 911 after administering auto-injector Reference: BC Anaphylactic and Child Safety Framework (2007) What should I do?
When in doubt, administer epinephrine. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can be as simple as rednessor as severe as cardiac arrest. • If a person says they are having a reaction it is important to believe them, and immediately administer epinephrine regardless of the symptoms present • Antihistamines and asthma medication must not be given as first line treatment for anaphylaxis What should I do?
An auto-injector is an easy way to give epinephrine to someone having an allergic reaction • There are three auto-injectors available in BC: • EpiPen® • AllerjectTM • Twinject® • *Please note that Twinject® is currently not available on the market. What is aN Epinephrine Auto-injector?
What is an EpiPen®? • A disposable, pre-filled automatic injection device that administers a single dose of epinephrine Reference: www.epipen.ca
HOW TO USE EpiPen®? • Hold firmly with ORANGEtip pointing downward • Remove BLUEsafety cap by pulling straight up • Swing and push ORANGEtip firmly into mid-outer thigh until you hear a “click” • Hold on thigh for several seconds Built-in needle protection When EpiPen® is removed, the ORANGEneedle cover automatically extends to cover the injection needle Reference: www.epipen.ca
A disposable, pre-filled automatic injection device that administers a single dose of epinephrine Talks users through each step What is ALLERJECTTM? Reference: www.allerject.ca
HOW TO USE ALLERJECTTM? • Pull Allerject™ from the outer case • Pull off RED safety guard • Do not touch the BLACK base of the auto-injector, which is where the needle comes out • Place BLACK end against the middle of the outer thigh, then press firmly and hold in place for five seconds • Once the injection is complete, replace the outer case Reference: www.allerject.ca
WHAT IS TWINJECT®? • A disposable, pre-filled automatic injection device that contains two doses of epinephrine in a single device • First dose of epinephrine is administered by auto-injection, just like the EpiPen® and AllerjectTM • *Remember, staff are not recommended to give dose two (manual intramuscular injection of epinephrine) Reference: www.twinject.ca
HoW TO USE Twinject®? • Pull off GREEN end cap labeled “1”. Never put thumb, finger or hand over the RED tip. • Pull off GREENend cap labeled “2” • Press RED cap into outer thigh until unit activates. Hold Twinject® in place for 10 seconds Reference: www.twinject.ca
WHAT TO DO AFTER GIVING EPINEPHERINE • Have students lie still on their backs with their feet higher than their heads • If vomiting, have the students lie on their sides to prevent choking • If breathing is difficult, have the students sit up • Loosen tight clothing and cover students with blanket • Don’t give anything to drink • Send auto-injector with students to hospital • Reference: Anaphylaxis Canada (2013)
Awareness • Know the triggers • Know the emergency plan and how to administer epinephrine via the auto-injector • Avoidance • Avoid contact with allergens, make classrooms safe • Action • Give auto-injector and call 911. • Don’t delay! Conclusion:Follow the three A’s
For more information contact your Public Health Nurse www.bced.gov.bc.ca/health/bc_anaphylactic_child_safety.pdf (BC Anaphylactic and Child Safety Framework) www.anaphylaxis.org (Anaphylaxis Canada) www.whyriskit.ca/pages/en/home.php (Why Risk It) www.aaia.ca (Allergy/Asthma Information Assoc.) www.allerject.ca (AllerjectTM) www.epipen.ca (EpiPen®) www.twinject.ca (Twinject®) www.medicalert.ca www.bchealthguide.org/healthfiles Resources
Anaphylaxis Canada (2013) http://www.anaphylaxis.org/ • AAIA Anaphylaxis Reference Kit (2007) by the Allergy and Asthma Information Association, Health Canada • Anaphylaxis in Schools & Other Settings (Second Edition, 2009) by the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. • Allergy Safe Communities. (2013) http://www.allergysafecommunities.ca/ References