HealthInfo Canterbury

Anaphylaxis (severe allergy)

Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening allergic reaction. Causes include insect bites, bee stings, food (for example, nuts), and medications. Anaphylaxis tends to happen in just a matter of minutes. Signs and symptoms to look out for include:

tongue swelling swelling or tightness in the throat difficulty breathing – may be noisy or wheezy (whistling sound)

difficulty talking collapse loss of consciousness floppy and pale (young children).

First aid

How do I help someone suffering anaphylaxis?

• Lay the person flat on the ground or, if they are having trouble breathing, sit them down.
• Check if the person has an adrenaline injection pen (for example an Epipen or Anapen). If they do and can't use it themselves, follow the instructions below for using one.
• Call for help – stay with the person and call 111 or, if someone else is available, ask them to call 111
• Remove any suspected causes of the allergic reaction.
• Look for a medical alert bracelet or necklace.

How do I use an adrenaline injection pen (for example an Epipen or Anapen)?

An Epipen or Anapen is an automatic adrenaline injector for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis. Medical training isn't needed to use one.

• Form a firm fist around the pen and pull off the blue safety cap.
• Hold the leg still and place the orange end against the outer mid-thigh (with or without clothing).
• Push down hard until you hear or feel a click and hold in place for three seconds.

Watch this short video on how to use an adrenaline autoinjector (all brands are similar and work the same way).

You can get adrenaline injection pens online from Allergy Pharmacy, or most pharmacies, and you don't need a prescription. The pens have an expiry date of one year and it's important to check this as an expired pen may not work. Although adrenalin isn't publicly-funded, ACC reimburse Epipen or Anapen when it is used as treatment for anaphylactic reactions. ACC may also provide cover for work and non-work related anaphylaxis.

What can I do if I'm at risk of anaphylaxis?

If you're at risk of anaphylaxis, talk to your doctor. You can ask them to help you complete an action plan that you can then keep with your adrenaline. The practice nurses at your general practice can give you and your whānau or family training in how to use an adrenaline injection pen.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) – Anaphylaxis resources

  Resources about anaphylaxis, including action plans, checklists and information about adrenaline autoinjectors.

• Canterbury DHB – Adrenaline Autoinjectors

  A factsheet about adrenaline autoinjectors including where to purchase one and how to store it.

• Medsafe – Severe Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis) to Medicines

  A downloadable pdf about allergic reactions to medicines and what to do if you experience one.

• St John – Allergic Reaction

  A short video on how to use an Epipen in an emergency.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2018. Last updated September 2019.

Sources

Page reference: 48946

Review key: HIAPH-19327