What is anaphylaxis?

Many of us know a little about allergic reactions or have an allergy ourselves, but it is important for everyone to know about anaphylaxis. This is the term given to a life-threatening, severe allergic reaction that can occur following ingestion of the allergen.

What causes anaphylaxis?

Unfortunately, some people can have a severe allergy or multiple severe allergies, in which case anaphylaxis may occur if the allergen is ingested. While there are a lot of potential allergens, some of the most common include peanuts, nuts, shellfish, sesame, and even milk. The only way to stay safe if you have a severe allergy is to ensure you don’t eat any foods containing the allergen.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis

There are quite a few possible symptoms of anaphylaxis, which can include swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, having trouble swallowing, feeling faint, or even passing out.

It is important for anyone who works in care or healthcare or looks after someone with an allergy to have good awareness of the signs of anaphylaxis and to know how to help them if they experience an anaphylactic reaction. This is where emergency first aid training courses, which are offered by specialist providers such as tidaltraining.co.uk/emergency-first-aid-training-courses/, can be extremely useful.

How is anaphylaxis treated?

Anaphylaxis can be treated via the administration of an adrenaline auto-injector, often known as an EpiPen. This pen-sized device contains adrenaline, which relieves the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. The EpiPen is administered using an in-built needle, which must be jabbed into the person’s thigh.