Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life threatening, generalised or systemic hypersensitivity reaction

Common potential triggers:

• foods (nuts/milk)
• medications (antibiotics)
• insect stings

3 Diagnostic Criteria = 

• problems with Airway
• problems with Breathing
• problems with Circulation

(all three of these with skin condition = SEVERE ANAPHYLAXIS)

Airway: swelling of the tongue, laryngeal oedema, stridor, hoarse voice

Breathing: bronchospasm wheezing, increased RR, hypoxaemia, could lead to respiratory arrest

Cirulation: cyanosis, tachycardia, severe hypotension, syncope, warm body/cold extremities

Disability: Confusion due to hypoxaemia

Exposure: urticarial rash, angio-oedema

CALL FOR HELP!

• remove trigger (if possible)
• lie patient flat
• give IM Adrenaline
• establish airway
• if no response give IM adrenaline again after 5 mins
• IV fluids

-use 1:1000 concentration (adult = 500mcg 0.5ml and child = 300mcg 0.3ml)

Adrenaline constricts blood vessles, increases cardiac contractility and dilates bronchioles