What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis (pronounced a-na-fil-lax-is) is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction which usually occurs within a few minutes to a few hours after being exposed to an allergen. Symptoms can present rapidly, and do not always include skin symptoms. If someone who has known allergies presents with sudden difficulty breathing, always consider anaphylaxis. 

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What are the symptoms?

Always remember A, B, C...

Airways

Airways such as persistent cough, difficulty swallowing, hoarse voice or swollen tongue

Breathing

Breathing including difficult or noisy breathing, or wheeze or persistent cough

Circulation/ consciousness

Consciousness such as persistent dizziness, suddenly sleepy, pale or floppy or even collapse unconscious

How is it treated?

If any one (or more) of these signs are present, administer the patient's auto adrenaline injector (AAI, commonly known as EpiPen but other brands such as Jext are also available) in the mid thigh. If there is no improvement within 5 minutes, give their second pen in the opposite leg.

Dial 999 and tell them you suspect anaphylaxis. Even if symptoms improve, medical attention should always be sought