25 May Would you recognise the symptoms of anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis has the potential to be life-threatening, yet most people are unable to recognise the symptoms quickly enough to act; in fact, many people do not recognise the word. Let’s look at what anaphylaxis is and how to recognise the symptoms, which will build the confidence and understanding needed to respond should an emergency arise.
Understanding anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is an extreme allergic reaction and requires immediate medical attention. It can occur just minutes after exposure to an allergen, whether foods, medications, or even things such as insect stings and latex. What makes it different is how it affects multiple bodily systems simultaneously, making it far more threatening.
Symptoms to look for
Breathing difficulties are usually the most obvious sign of an allergic reaction, as the throat tightens and the patient begins wheezing or gasping. Another common sign is a skin reaction, with quick swelling and redness, typically in the form of itchy rashes.
Some subtler symptoms to keep a sharp eye out for include gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea, abdominal pain, or even vomiting. Extreme allergic reactions will also affect cognitive function, causing dizziness, confusion, and even a loss of consciousness.
Some of these symptoms may seem too similar to other diseases to be discerned, but you can typically tell when someone is having an allergic reaction, especially with prior knowledge of their conditions or allergies.
Seeking out clinical training courses from providers such as www.tidaltraining.co.uk/clinical-training-courses/ can help you be more discerning and prepared for medical emergencies.
How to respond
If the person is a known sufferer of allergic reactions, they will typically have an epinephrine auto-injector – EpiPen – on them. You should seek out detailed EpiPen guides to ensure you are prepared, but there are handy ways to remember their usage: orange tip down, blue to the sky, inject in the outer thigh.
Once administered, call the emergency services immediately and ensure the patient is lying down with their legs elevated. This is unless they are struggling to breathe, in which case you should keep them supported. Monitor the symptoms to inform the medical professionals.
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