A guide to saving someone from a severe anaphylactic shock reaction
Anaphylactic shock is the result of an allergic reaction, caused by someone ingesting, coming into contact with, or inhaling a substance that they are allergic to; being allergic to nuts is very common. During anaphylactic shock the person’s blood pressure will suddenly drop and their airways will narrow, resulting in difficulty breathing. Anaphylactic shock can be very scary and worrying for both the person that is experiencing the allergic reaction and the people around them. Here are some step by step instructions on how to use an EpiPen and a list of symptoms that present themselves when someone is having an allergic reaction. I believe that it is essential for everyone to know how they can help someone when someone is having an allergic reaction.
Firstly, I think it’s important for you to know that symptoms don’t present themselves immediately after someone ingests something they’re allergic to, symptoms can take time to present themselves. It could be minutes after they have eaten or hours and because of this people with allergies have to be very careful with what they eat. Another important thing that you need to know is that people will react in different ways, depending on the severity of their allergy and how much of the substance they have ingested. Some people will simply come up in a rash, others will throw up and some people will go into anaphylactic shock. I am allergic to nuts and seeds and have experienced coming up in a rash if I have accidentally eaten them. Some people who have quite severe allergies can react from coming into contact with the substance they’re allergic to, or even just the smell of their allergy can cause them to react. For me, I have to physically eat the nut or seed for my body to react and therefore if I was to go into anaphylactic shock I would have to eat a peanut as that is the nut that causes anaphylactic shock for me; different types of nuts cause different reactions. This is the basic knowledge that you need to ensure that if someone you know has allergies then you take note of what they are allergic to and can therefore help to keep that person safe.
When someone is going into anaphylaxis it is essential that they receive a jab of their EpiPen to prevent them from dying. This can either be done by the person who is experiencing anaphylaxis or by someone they’re with, if they are unable to give it to themselves. The EpiPen contains Epinephrine which stops the release of more allergic chemicals, preventing the reaction from getting worse, it also constricts the blood vessels, causing the blood pressure to increase and swelling to decrease. Therefore, it is very important that you know how to use an EpiPen in case you ever come into contact with someone having an allergic reaction, or if you yourself are allergic to something and will potentially need to use an EpiPen on yourself at some point in the future.
Step by Step Guide to Using an EpiPen:
1. Take the Epipen out of the casing.
2. Pull the blue cap off.
3. Hold the Epipen 10cm away from the thigh making sure that the orange end is facing towards the thigh.
4. Push the Epipen (with considerable force) into the thigh and hold it in for 10 seconds making sure that you hear a clicking sound that tells you that the needle has come out.
5. Take the Epipen out of the thigh and rub that area for 10 seconds to ensure the adrenaline is moving around the body.
6. Whilst rubbing the thigh make sure to ring 999 and ask for an ambulance.
7. If the person is showing similar symptoms as before then take out the second Epipen and repeat the same process as before in the other leg.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to keep a second EpiPen with you if you have an allergy, as you may need more than one dose.
Symptoms of Anaphylaxis:
1. Skin reactions such as hives, flushed skin or paleness
2. Suddenly feeling very warm
3. Feeling as if there is a lump in their throat or difficulty swallowing
4. Vomiting or diarrhoea
5. Abdominal pain
6. A weak and rapid pulse
7. Runny nose and sneezing
8. Swollen tongue or lips
9. Wheezing or difficulty breathing
10. Tingling hands, feet, mouth or scalp
11. A sense that something is wrong with your body
Symptoms of Anaphylactic Shock (Caused by Anaphylaxis):
1. Struggling to breath
2. Dizziness
3. Confusion
4. Sudden feeling of weakness
5. Loss of consciousness
Remember that anaphylactic shock won’t happen immediately and that different people react in different ways. Always be cautious of what you’re feeding someone with an allergic reaction and what you’re consuming if you have an allergy. Lastly, always remember to carry two EpiPens if you have an allergy; you’ll never know how many doses you’ll need.
Emma Hills, Y8
Firstly, I think it’s important for you to know that symptoms don’t present themselves immediately after someone ingests something they’re allergic to, symptoms can take time to present themselves. It could be minutes after they have eaten or hours and because of this people with allergies have to be very careful with what they eat. Another important thing that you need to know is that people will react in different ways, depending on the severity of their allergy and how much of the substance they have ingested. Some people will simply come up in a rash, others will throw up and some people will go into anaphylactic shock. I am allergic to nuts and seeds and have experienced coming up in a rash if I have accidentally eaten them. Some people who have quite severe allergies can react from coming into contact with the substance they’re allergic to, or even just the smell of their allergy can cause them to react. For me, I have to physically eat the nut or seed for my body to react and therefore if I was to go into anaphylactic shock I would have to eat a peanut as that is the nut that causes anaphylactic shock for me; different types of nuts cause different reactions. This is the basic knowledge that you need to ensure that if someone you know has allergies then you take note of what they are allergic to and can therefore help to keep that person safe.
When someone is going into anaphylaxis it is essential that they receive a jab of their EpiPen to prevent them from dying. This can either be done by the person who is experiencing anaphylaxis or by someone they’re with, if they are unable to give it to themselves. The EpiPen contains Epinephrine which stops the release of more allergic chemicals, preventing the reaction from getting worse, it also constricts the blood vessels, causing the blood pressure to increase and swelling to decrease. Therefore, it is very important that you know how to use an EpiPen in case you ever come into contact with someone having an allergic reaction, or if you yourself are allergic to something and will potentially need to use an EpiPen on yourself at some point in the future.
Step by Step Guide to Using an EpiPen:
1. Take the Epipen out of the casing.
2. Pull the blue cap off.
3. Hold the Epipen 10cm away from the thigh making sure that the orange end is facing towards the thigh.
4. Push the Epipen (with considerable force) into the thigh and hold it in for 10 seconds making sure that you hear a clicking sound that tells you that the needle has come out.
5. Take the Epipen out of the thigh and rub that area for 10 seconds to ensure the adrenaline is moving around the body.
6. Whilst rubbing the thigh make sure to ring 999 and ask for an ambulance.
7. If the person is showing similar symptoms as before then take out the second Epipen and repeat the same process as before in the other leg.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to keep a second EpiPen with you if you have an allergy, as you may need more than one dose.
Symptoms of Anaphylaxis:
1. Skin reactions such as hives, flushed skin or paleness
2. Suddenly feeling very warm
3. Feeling as if there is a lump in their throat or difficulty swallowing
4. Vomiting or diarrhoea
5. Abdominal pain
6. A weak and rapid pulse
7. Runny nose and sneezing
8. Swollen tongue or lips
9. Wheezing or difficulty breathing
10. Tingling hands, feet, mouth or scalp
11. A sense that something is wrong with your body
Symptoms of Anaphylactic Shock (Caused by Anaphylaxis):
1. Struggling to breath
2. Dizziness
3. Confusion
4. Sudden feeling of weakness
5. Loss of consciousness
Remember that anaphylactic shock won’t happen immediately and that different people react in different ways. Always be cautious of what you’re feeding someone with an allergic reaction and what you’re consuming if you have an allergy. Lastly, always remember to carry two EpiPens if you have an allergy; you’ll never know how many doses you’ll need.
Emma Hills, Y8