Allergies Anaphylaxis What is an Allergy Allergies occur

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Allergies & Anaphylaxis

Allergies & Anaphylaxis

What is an Allergy? Allergies occur when the immune system becomes unusually sensitive and

What is an Allergy? Allergies occur when the immune system becomes unusually sensitive and overreacts to common substances that are normally harmless. Examples are: • Foods – eggs, milk, peanuts/nuts, shellfish and some food additives • Stings from bees, wasps, hornets and some ants • Medications – penicillin, sulfa drugs • Exercise • Latex (gloves/medical devices) 2

What is Anaphylaxis? • Occurs when a person is exposed to an allergen causing

What is Anaphylaxis? • Occurs when a person is exposed to an allergen causing a severe, lifethreatening allergic response • Reactions can occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen, but can be delayed for 2 -3 hours • Affects various organ systems including the skin, respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal 3

Why is this lifethreatening? • Causes airway obstruction/lack of oxygen to the brain •

Why is this lifethreatening? • Causes airway obstruction/lack of oxygen to the brain • Increases risk of SHOCK, which leads to widespread tissue damage, organ failure and eventually death 4

Prevention = Having a Plan • Check the School Medical Alert List to familiarize

Prevention = Having a Plan • Check the School Medical Alert List to familiarize yourself with students in your school/class who have medical conditions and allergies • Note all students who require single dose, single-use auto-injectors (Epi. Pens) and where these are stored for each student • Review emergency care plans for individual students • Recognize allergy sources and triggers • Know how and when to administer medication 5

Common Symptoms • Skin – hives , swelling, itching, warmth, redness, rash • Respiratory

Common Symptoms • Skin – hives , swelling, itching, warmth, redness, rash • Respiratory (breathing) – wheezing, shortness of breath, throat tightness, cough, hoarse voice, chest pain/tightness, nasal congestion or hay fever-like symptoms (runny itchy nose and watery eyes, sneezing), trouble swallowing Revised July 2009 6

Anaphylactic Reaction Normal appearance Hives and Swelling of face Important: Not all reactions have

Anaphylactic Reaction Normal appearance Hives and Swelling of face Important: Not all reactions have hives Revised July 2011 www. natureshomoeo. com. au/image/student. JPG 7

Common Symptoms • Gastrointestinal (stomach): nausea, pain/cramps, vomiting, diarrhea • Cardiovascular (heart): pale/blue colour,

Common Symptoms • Gastrointestinal (stomach): nausea, pain/cramps, vomiting, diarrhea • Cardiovascular (heart): pale/blue colour, weak pulse, passing out, dizzy/lightheaded, shock • Other: anxiety, feeling of “impending doom”, headache, uterine cramps in females Revised July 2009 8

Swollen lips/face and hives present www. sovereign-publications. com/. . . /ANAPHYL. jpg Revised July

Swollen lips/face and hives present www. sovereign-publications. com/. . . /ANAPHYL. jpg Revised July 2009 9

Revised July 2011 health. yahoo. com/media/healthwise/h 9991075. jpg 10

Revised July 2011 health. yahoo. com/media/healthwise/h 9991075. jpg 10

Anaphylaxis: What should I do? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Administer single dose, single-use

Anaphylaxis: What should I do? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Administer single dose, single-use auto-injector (Epi. Pen ®) Call 911 Notify Parent/Guardian Administer second auto-injector in 5 to 15 minutes IF symptoms do not improve or if symptoms recur Have ambulance transport student to hospital *Epinephrine is the only way to reverse the effects of anaphylaxis & therefore needs to be given ASAP **Remember, the Epinephrine may only last for 15 minutes, calling 911 is very important Revised June 2010 11

Anaphylaxis: What should I do? • Symptoms of anaphylaxis can be as simple as

Anaphylaxis: What should I do? • Symptoms of anaphylaxis can be as simple as tingling of the lips or as severe as cardiac arrest. When in doubt, administer epinephrine • If a person says they are having a reaction it is important to believe them, and immediately administer epinephrine regardless of the symptoms present. Slide 11 A

What is a Single Dose, Single. Use Epinephrine Auto-injector? • A single dose, single-use

What is a Single Dose, Single. Use Epinephrine Auto-injector? • A single dose, single-use auto-injector is an easy way to give epinephrine/adrenaline to someone having an allergic reaction • Epi. Pen® Regular Epi. Pen® Junior Slide 12 Revised July 2011

What is in an Epi. Pen®? Easy-to-read instructions Easy-grip body Built-in needle protection Labeled

What is in an Epi. Pen®? Easy-to-read instructions Easy-grip body Built-in needle protection Labeled orange needle cover contrasts with blue safety release for easy orientation* Single dose of epinephrine Slide 13 Source: www. epipen. ca Revised July 2011

Using the Epi. Pen® Auto-Injector 1. 2. 3. Remove autoinjector from carrier tube. Hold

Using the Epi. Pen® Auto-Injector 1. 2. 3. Remove autoinjector from carrier tube. Hold firmly with orange tip pointing downward. Remove blue safety release. Slide 14 Source: www. epipen. ca Revised July 2011

Using the Epi. Pen® Auto-Injector 4. 5. Swing and push orange tip firmly into

Using the Epi. Pen® Auto-Injector 4. 5. Swing and push orange tip firmly into mid-outer thigh until you hear a “click”. Hold on thigh for several seconds. Slide 15 Source: www. epipen. ca Revised July 2011

Using the Epi. Pen® Auto-Injector 6. When the Epi. Pen ® auto-injector is removed,

Using the Epi. Pen® Auto-Injector 6. When the Epi. Pen ® auto-injector is removed, the orange needle cover automatically extends to cover the injection needle. Slide 15 a Source: www. epipen. ca Revised July 2011

What to do after giving a single dose, single-use auto-injector? • Have student lie

What to do after giving a single dose, single-use auto-injector? • Have student lie still on his or her back with feet higher than the head • Loosen tight clothing and cover student with blanket • If there is vomiting, turn student on side to prevent choking • Don’t give anything to drink • Send auto-injector with student to hospital Slide 16

Conclusion: Follow the three A’s • Awareness – Know the triggers – Know the

Conclusion: Follow the three A’s • Awareness – Know the triggers – Know the emergency plan and how to administer medication • Avoidance – Avoid contact with allergens, make classrooms safe • Action – Give single dose, single-use auto-injector and call 911. – Don’t delay! Slide 17

Resources • For more information contact your Public Health Nurse • www. aaia. ca

Resources • For more information contact your Public Health Nurse • www. aaia. ca (Allergy/Asthma Information Assoc. ) • www. foodallergycanada. ca (Food Allergy Canada) • www. epipen. ca (Epi. Pen®) • www. medicalert. ca • www. healthlinkbc. ca Slide 18

References • AAIA Anaphylaxis Reference Kit (2014) by the Allergy and Asthma Information Association,

References • AAIA Anaphylaxis Reference Kit (2014) by the Allergy and Asthma Information Association, Health Canada • Anaphylaxis in Schools & Other Settings Second Edition (2014) by the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Slide 19

Any Questions? Slide 20

Any Questions? Slide 20