Anaphylactic Reaction

Anaphylactic Reaction Cape Girardeau County Public Health Department

Anaphlaxis • Severe • Sudden • Potentially Fatal • Allergic Reaction

How it Happens • Anaphylaxis is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction. • The patient’s immune system becomes sensitized to that allergen • An antibody protein is produced in response to the presence of the allergen • Causes cells to release chemicals, including histamine .

Chemicals produce histamines that cause the following symptoms • A tingly feeling or “pins and needles” feeling • Itchy • Hives • Swelling of lips, mouth, tongue, or hands • Coughing • Wheezing • Hoarse voice • Difficulty swallowing

Symptoms • Shortness of breath • Difficulty Breathing • Nausea • Vomiting • Abdominal Cramps • Diarrhea • Rapid or slow heartbeat

Symptoms (continued) • Drop in blood pressure • Dizziness • Fainting • Looking pale or blue • Confusion

Triggers • Insect stings from hornets, wasps, yellow jackets, honey bees • Medications including penicillin, cephalosporin, anesthetics, and others • Foods (ingesting even tiny amounts) peanuts, fish shellfish, eggs, milk, soy and wheat • Vaccines, including allergy shots, and egg-and gelatin-based vaccines • Hormones, including insulin and progesterone • Rubber latex products • Animal and human proteins

Allergies • Allergies to peanuts and foods made with peanut ingredients

How much peanut? All of this??? Or just a bite???

Allergy sensitivity Just the smell In a classroom?

Poison Ivy • Can grow as a vine or a bush. • Can crawl across the ground • The oil can remain active on objects for at least one year

Beware of the leaves of three!

Avoid Stings • Wear light colored clothing. • Avoid wearing perfumes or scented oils and lotions. • Wear insect repellent. • Pour soda and sugary drinks into cups.

Wasps, Hornets, and Bees • Bees have a barbed stinger, and can only sting once.

Stings • Most of stings will cause a reaction of pain, swelling, and itching at site.

To Treat a Bee Sting • Remove stinger by gently scraping across the sting with a flat, broad object like a credit card or butter knife.

To Treat a Bee Sting • Wash the area with soap and water. • Put ice on the sting site – 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off to reduce swelling and pain • Apply antibiotic ointment to the wound.

Systemic Reactions • Most people who are very sensitive to bee and wasp venom are aware of their condition. • These people usually carry an EpiPen.

Systemic Reaction to Stings • Can happen if a person is stung multiple times • Can happen if a person is highly sensitive to the venom

Systemic Reactions • Seek immediate medical attention if someone is stung in the mouth or throat, or if someone is having a systemic reaction.

Avoid peanut allergy reaction? • Do not serve anything made of peanut butter or peanut butter itself. • Use gloves and wrap the child’s plate with a plastic wrap to avoid any touching of their food with peanut butter

Treatment • Epinephrine must be used at the start of an anaphylactic reaction. Delay of more than 30 minutes from the beginning of symptoms has been linked with greater risk of fatal or near-fatal reactions. • Between 10-20% of people will need a second dose of epinephrine after the first dose. • It is important to lie down and stay horizontal after an injection

Antihistamines • They are not effective in treating anaphylaxis. If you are experiencing shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness or fainting, and antihistamine will not be able to help you.

Do you carry a pen? • Many people who know they are at risk of severe allergic reactions carry their own Epi-Pens with them. • Children should keep them at the schools or daycare facilities as well.

Use of an Epi-Pen • Remove the auto-injector by opening the cap and tipping and sliding the auto injector out of the carrier. • Grasp the auto injector in your fist with the tip pointing downward. • With your other hand, remove the safety release by pulling straight up without bending or twisting.

Epi-Pen (continued) • Hold the auto-injector with the tip near the outer thigh • Swing and firmly push the tip against the outer thigh until it clicks. • Keep the auto-injector firmly pushed against the thigh at a 90 degree angle to the thigh • Hold firmly against the thigh for approximately 10 seconds to deliver drug

Epi-Pen (continued) • Remove the auto-injector from the thigh (the tip will extend to cover the needle) • Massage the injection area for 10 seconds • Get emergency medical help right away

Epinephrine injectables Epi-Pen Adult • Has 0.3mg • Auvi-Q Adult • Has 0.3 mg Epi-Pen Jr • Has 0.15mg • Auvi-Q Jr. • Has 0.15 mg

Be Prepared!! • Create an emergency Action Plan • Train Your Friends and family • Wear a medical I.D.

Things can happen in a hurry…….

Thank You!

Anaphylactic Reaction