Allergic reactions emergency first aid

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and asthma attacks related to allergies need emergency first aid.

If you (or a family member) have previously had asthma, or a severe allergic reaction, your doctor (GP) or nurse practitioner will complete an Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Action Plan for Anaphylaxis. Follow the plan if the symptoms of an allergic reaction appear.

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include:

• difficult or noisy breathing
• swelling of the tongue
• swelling or tightness in the throat
• wheeze or persistent cough
• difficulty talking or hoarse voice
• persistent dizziness or collapse
• pale and floppy (young children)
• abdominal pain, vomiting – these are signs of anaphylaxis for insect allergy.

Signs of mild to moderate allergic reaction include:

• swelling of the lips, face and eyes
• hives or welts
• tingling mouth
• abdominal pain, vomiting – these are signs of anaphylaxis for insect allergy.

Mild to moderate allergic reactions (such as hives or swelling) may not always occur before anaphylaxis.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms, you are at greater risk of having another severe reaction. Ask your doctor to refer you to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist.

Emergency first aid for severe allergic reactions

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is life-threatening and requires urgent action.

1. Lay the person flat – do not allow them to stand or walk.
2. Give adrenaline injector (such as EpiPen® or Anapen®) into the outer mid-thigh.
3. Phone an ambulance – call triple zero (000).
4. Phone family or emergency contact.
5. Further adrenaline may be given if there is no response after 5 minutes.
6. Transfer person to hospital for at least 4 hours of observation.

If in doubt, give adrenaline injector.

Commence CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) at any time if person is unresponsive and not breathing normally.

Always give adrenaline injector first, and then asthma reliever puffer if someone with known asthma and allergy to food, insects or medication has sudden breathing difficulty (including wheeze, persistent cough or hoarse voice) even if there are no skin symptoms.

Be prepared for severe allergic reactions

If you are at risk of a severe allergic reaction, make sure you:

• Have an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis.
• Carry a mobile phone to call for help when needed.
• Carry an adrenaline injector (EpiPen® or Anapen®) to treat a severe allergic reaction.
• Consider wearing medical identification jewellery – this increases the likelihood that adrenaline will be administered in an emergency.
• Avoid medication (where possible) that may increase the severity of an allergic reaction or complicate its treatment – such as beta blockers.
• Avoid the known allergen where possible.

Adrenaline injectors

Adrenaline works fast to reverse a severe allergic reaction, and adrenaline injectors (EpiPens® and Anapen®) are designed for use by people who are not medically trained. If you are at risk of anaphylaxis, your doctor will have prescribed an adrenaline injector.

Emergency first aid for asthma attacks

If you have asthma, your doctor will prescribe medication and help you to develop a plan to manage your asthma and an action plan for asthma attacks.

Asthma can be well controlled with medication in most people.

If you, or someone you know, are having an asthma attack, follow the asthma action plan. In case of emergency, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. Tell the operator that someone is having an asthma attack.

Read more about asthma emergency first aid.

Where to get help

• In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
• Emergency department of your nearest hospital
• Your GP doctor
• NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 606 024 – for health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
• St John Ambulance Australia Tel. 1300 360 455
• Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia
• Asthma Australia Tel. 1800 278 462