First Aid Treatment For Allergic Reactions & Anaphylactic Shock

Important Information
• Severe reactions occur rapidly, usually immediately after the patient eats, is bitten by an insect or takes medication
• Patients having severe allergic reactions may have hives, wheezing, chest tightness, stomach pain and complain of nausea, difficulty breathing and swallowing sometimes due to swollen throat tissue, their blood pressure may drop leading to dizziness and fainting
• Treat a severe allergic reaction as a medical emergency and follow primary care procedures
• Mild allergic reactions include sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and skin rashes, they are not usually life threatening and usually controlled by antihistamines

Patient Care for Allergic Reaction; Anaphylaxis
STOP - Assess and observe the scene; Was patient stung? Eating?
THINK - Consider your safety and form action plan; Is epinephrine available?
ACT - Check responsiveness, look for medical alert tag and Alert EMS
Perform a primary assessment and monitor the patient's Cycle of Care - AB-CABS
If the patient carries an epinephrine kit, help them to use it following the directions for use
If symptoms of anaphylaxis persist despite epinephrine administration, seek medical assistance before administering a second dose of epinephrine
In unusual circumstances, when advanced medical assistance is not available, a second dose of epinephrine may be given if symptoms of anaphylaxis persist
If epinephrine is not available, continue to monitor the patient's lifeline until EMS arrives, responsive patients may prefer to sit up for ease of breathing

First Aid Advice & Information for Allergic reactions is for guidance only - Click Here to get Trained in CPR & First Aid