$Unique_ID{PAR00278}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Emergency First Aid:  ALLERGIC REACTION (ANAPHYLAXIS)}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Siegfried, Donna M}
$Subject{ALLERGIC REACTION REACTIONs ANAPHYLAXIS allergy allergies insect
insects sting stings bee wasp animal serum vaccination medication food dust
pollens swollen lips tongue ear uneasiness agitation red face hives prickling
itching sensations skin throbbing ringing ears sneezing coughing breathing
difficulty nausea vomiting dizziness bladder bowel control loss convulsions
weak rapid pulse cold clammy pale unresponsiveness}
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The New Parents' Question & Answer Book


ALLERGIC REACTION (ANAPHYLAXIS)


CAUSES

     A severe allergic reaction known as ANAPHYLAXIS may occur when a person
who is extremely sensitive to a particular substance comes in contact with
that substance.
     Anaphylaxis can be triggered by an insect sting, such as from a bee or
wasp; by an animal serum used in a vaccination; by a medication; or by
ingesting a food or inhaling dust, pollens, or materials to which an
individual is especially sensitive.  Any of these can cause rapid and severe
reaction.


SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

After contact, the child may experience:

  -  swollen lips, tongue, or ears
  -  uneasiness or agitation
  -  red face
  -  hives
  -  prickling and itching sensations in the skin
  -  throbbing or ringing in the ears
  -  sneezing, coughing, and breathing difficulty
  -  nausea or vomiting
  -  dizziness
  -  loss of bladder and bowel control
  -  convulsions
  -  weak, rapid pulse (more than 100 beats per minute)
  -  cold, clammy, pale skin
  -  unresponsiveness

  WITHOUT IMMEDIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT, CHILD MAY DIE.


EMERGENCY TREATMENT

1. SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AT THE FIRST SIGN OF ALLERGIC REACTION.  Call 911
   or operator.
2. Check child's breathing.  If breathing stops, see MOUTH-TO-MOUTH
   RESUSCITATION (previous section).
3. If anaphylaxis kit containing epinephrine is available, follow
   instructions for use.

Until Ambulance Arrives:

4. Have child lie down; if shortness of breath occurs, have child sit up.
5. Keep child's airway open by tilting child's head back:
   a) Kneel by child's side and place one of your hands on child's forehead.
      Gently tilt child's head back.
   b) Place fingers of your other hand on bony part of child's chin--not on
      throat.
   c) Gently lift child's chin straight up without closing child's mouth.
6. Use a hooking action with your finger to clear foreign objects from
   child's mouth.
7. Cover child lightly with blanket.