*Anaphylaxis

Signs and Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

  • Blotchy skin rash or flushing
  • Swelling of the tongue and/or throat
  • Difficulty in swallowing or speaking
  • Vocal changes (hoarse voice)
  • Wheeze or persistent cough or severe asthma
  • Difficult or noisy breathing
  • Stomach cramps or vomiting after an insect sting
  • Dizziness / collapse / loss of consciousness
  • Sense of impending doom

Treatment of Anaphylaxis

  • Remember to stay as calm as possible so that you can reassure the child:
  • Lie the child down and administer an adrenaline injection immediately. (Assist the child to use their auto injector, if they are able to)
  • Call 999 OR 112 for an ambulance and say ANAPHYLAXIS 
  • Raise their legs if they feel dizzy or faint or appear pale and sweating
  • Raise their shoulders if they feel wheezy or short of breath
  • If the child becomes unconscious, check Airway and Breathing and start CPR if necessary
  • If the child has more than one auto-injector, the dose of adrenaline can be repeated at 5 minute intervals if there is no improvement

Important: DO NOT stand the child up once they are lying down

Schools are allowed to hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors without a prescription, for use in emergencies.

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