The Anaphylaxis Guide for young adults

What can cause anaphylactic shock?

Anaphylaxis is a severe and mostly sudden allergic reaction. This tends to happen when someone living with allergies is exposed to an allergen. Reactions are rapid and normally occur within minutes of exposure to the allergen, but can occur up to 2-3 hours later.

It is potentially life-threatening, and an emergency response is imperative. The most common allergens are:

Pollen from trees and grasses
Indoor allergens such as house dust mites or moulds
Foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk and eggs
Pets such as cats and dogs, and other furry or hairy animals such as horses, rabbits and guinea pigs
Insects such as wasps and bees
Medicines such as antibiotics, pain killers and drugs used in hospitals for anaesthetics (these may cause reactions by binding to proteins in the blood, which then triggers the reaction)

Extra steps to take

SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION: Once the Adrenaline Auto-Injector (AAI) has been administered call 999 or 112 if you live in Ireland, and ask for an ambulance and say “anaphylaxis”.

If you are alone when you have a reaction you will have to make the call yourself. Don't worry as the person on the phone will know exactly what to do.

BE PREPARED: Use a second Auto-Injector after 5-15 minutes if the allergic person is still showing symptoms. If you are at risk of anaphylaxis, you should always carry two AAIs.

STAY WHERE YOU ARE: The person experiencing anaphylaxis should remain still and laid down with their feet raised until the ambulance arrives. Don’t let them try to get up, even if they are starting to feel better.

This information has been gathered from:

Allergy UK

Spare Pens in Schools

NHS

National Union of Teachers

Department of Health

Anaphylaxis Campaign

BSACI Improving Allergy Care

Understand the signs of anaphylactic shock

An allergic reaction happens when the body responds to an allergen, perceiving it as a threat. The body produces an antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which sticks to the allergen and causes the release of chemicals such as histamine.

Anaphylaxis usually develops suddenly and gets worse very quickly.

The symptoms include:

Feeling lightheaded or faint
Breathing difficulties; such as fast, shallow breathing
Wheezing
A fast heartbeat
Clammy skin
Confusion and anxiety
Collapsing or losing consciousness
A feeling of impending doom

There may also be other allergy symptoms, including an itchy, raised rash (hives), feeling or being sick, swelling (angioedema), or stomach pain.

Make sure you know what these symptoms are so that you know when you or a friend needs to use an adrenaline auto-injector.

These symptoms can develop rapidly and you may only notice a few symptoms, but some can be extremely serious.

If you or your friend experiences any or all of these symptoms, you should:

Call for help
Use their Adrenaline Auto-Injector, or ask someone else to give it to them
Use a phone to dial 999 in the UK, or 112 in Ireland, ask for an ambulance and say ‘anaphylaxis’. Or ask somebody else to make the call

It is important to remember that the symptoms experienced may be different from previous reactions.