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Treatment of Anaphylaxis
It should always be treated as a medical emergency when a person becomes severely ill or collapses soon after an insect bite, eating a particular food or taking medication as it can be fatal unless immediate treatment is available.
An adrenaline injection (epinephrine) must be given as soon as a serious reaction is suspected, this may need to be repeated until the sufferers condition improves. If the person’s breathing or heart stops, cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be performed.
Even if adrenaline is administered the patient will probably need to be admitted to hospital. An antihistamine or corticosteroid injection may then also be administered, or given together with fluids intravenously.
The person will be advised to avoid any substance to which they are sensitive, especially if they have had a previous anaphylactic reaction. Epinephrine will be prescribed to self-inject from a preloaded syringe. It may also be advisable to carry an emergency card or bracelet to alert others of the allergy. Advice on minimising the risk and being vigilant about exposure to the allergen will be given.
