First Aid for Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis, also known as Anaphylactic Shock, is a severe and sometimes deadly allergic reaction. It is estimated that there are 400-800 deaths per year in the United States because of severe allergic reactions. Some of these deaths can be prevented if anaphylaxis is recognized and treated quickly. A person can die from anaphylaxis in just one minute of being exposed to whatever may cause the severe reaction. One minute is not that long, but if you know what to do, you can save a life in that single minute.

Allergic reactions come from activity in our immune system. The body creates antibodies to fight off foreign substances, also known as antigens. When the immune system in our body recognizes a foreign substance, it release antibodies that work to get the foreign substance out of our body. Allergic reactions can be mild or severe, ranging from simple skin rashes to closing of the airway.

People are allergic to a variety of things. There are food allergies, such as a person being allergic to strawberries, eggs, or nuts. There are allergies to animals such as cats or dogs. There are allergies to plants, such as poison ivy or poison oak. People can be allergies to just about anything. Most allergic reactions are mild. A person may have itchy eyes or a rash on their skin. Both are annoying, but generally go away without severe complications. Some allergic reactions, however; can cause swelling in the face and airways. They severely restrict breathing. These reactions describe anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis occurs suddenly. Within seconds to just a few minutes of a person being exposed to a substance. Signs that a person may be experiencing anaphylaxis are swelling and redness of the skin or body part that has come into contact with the substance, hives, or raised bumps on the skin, itching at the site of exposure, rash on the skin where there was exposure, weakness, nausea, cramps in the stomach, vomiting, dizziness, and breathing problems. Breathing problems can include wheezing as well as coughing. Breathing trouble can progress to a blocked airway because the lips, tongue, throat, and voice box continue to swell. A person may also have low blood pressure and go into shock. Death occurs when a person's air flow is severely compromised and they can no longer get oxygen effectively into their body.

More often than not, a person knows what will cause them a severe allergic reaction, and they try to avoid those things. Many of these people carry a doctor prescribed, epinephrine auto-injector, or epi-pen, with them. If the person has one of these, help them use it, or administer it for them. It is a fairly simple process and can save the person's life.

The information in this article comes from a Certified First Aid Instructor.

To use an epi-pen, first check airway, breathing, and circulation. Call 911 if the person says that his or her throat is closing or shows signs of breathing problems. Help the person get into the most comfortable positions for them to breathe. Give the person oxygen if it is available and you are trained to do so. Care for any immediate life-threatening emergencies. If the person is conscious, ask what they were exposed to, where the exposure took place, what effects the person has to the exposure. Check them to determine all of the above. Ask the person what their name is, what happened, if they feel any tingling in their hands, feet, or lips, do they have any pain, what they are allergic to, do they have any prescribed medicine to take in case of allergic reaction, what caused the reaction, how long was the exposure, do they have any medical conditions or take any medications. Make note of all answers, this will help emergency staff properly care for the person.

Visually inspect the person from head to toe, look for any physical signs of allergic reactions, breathing problems, a medical ID that can tell you of any medical conditions. Look for facial swelling, neck swelling, and swelling of the tongue. Make note if the person seems sleepy, not alert, confused, has slurred speech. Look at the face and lips, check the skin to see if it feels hot or cold, wet or dry, and check the skin color. Is the person pale, bluish, flushed? Ask the person if it hurts at all to breathe. Make note of respirations. How many per minute, deep or shallow, any wheezing or gasping sounds? If you see any signs of breathing problems, help the person to the most comfortable position for them to breathe, make sure 911 has been called, keep the person as calm as possible. Tell them that they will be okay, reassure them often, and let them know that help is on the way. Make note of any changes in the person over time.

If the person has an epi-pen and is able to use it, allow them to do so. It is always best if the person administers it to themselves, however; if the person needs assistance, help them. To use an epi-pen, first, check the label to be sure it is prescribed to the person, check the expiration date, and look to be sure the medicine is CLEAR not cloudy. If the epi-pen is not prescribed to the person, it is expired, or the medicine is cloudy, DO NOT USE IT.

If the label and contents are okay to use, first locate the middle of the person's thigh, or upper arm. Use either site to inject the medicine. Hold the injector firmly in your fist, and take off the safety cap. Hold the needle end towards the person's thigh or upper arm so it is at a 90 degree angle to the area that you will inject. Holding the injector, swing your arm out and jab the injector needle directly into the person's thigh or upper arm. When you do this, you should hear a click. Now, hold the injector in place firmly for 10 seconds to allow the medicine to enter the person's body. Remove the injector and massage the injection site for several seconds. Recheck the person's airway, breathing, and circulation.

After you use the epi-pen,, re-cap it, and make note of what time you administered it. Give the epi-pen, and all of your information to the emergency personnel when they arrive. This helps them to properly care for the person.

In conclusion, knowing what to do in case of a severe allergic reaction can save a person's life. It takes very little time for a person who is experiencing anaphylaxis to die from it. The faster you react, the better the person's chance of survival. If the person has an epinephrine auto-injector help them use it, or administer it yourself. This can literally save a life.