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Managing Severe Allergies within Schools

Learn about anaphylaxis, its causes, symptoms, and necessary actions in schools. Understand different reactions, treatments, and crisis management for severe allergies.

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Managing Severe Allergies within Schools

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  1. Managing Severe Allergieswithin Schools

  2. What is Anaphylaxis? • Anaphylaxis is a severe systemic allergic reaction. • At the extreme end of the allergic spectrum. • The whole body is affected usually within minutes of exposure to the allergen. • It can take seconds or several hours.

  3. Definition of Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis involves one or both of two features: - • Respiratory difficulty (swelling of the airway or asthma). • Hypotension (fainting, collapse or unconsciousness).

  4. What exactly is going on? • An anaphylaxis reaction is caused by the sudden release of chemical substances, including histamine, from cells in the blood and tissues where they are stored. • The release is triggered by the reaction between allergic antibodies (IgE) and the allergen. • Varying sensitivity with individuals

  5. Peanuts Tree nuts Milk Egg Sesame Fish Shellfish Wasp Bee Latex Penicillin Blood products Drugs Kiwi Common causes

  6. What are the symptoms? Minorallergicreaction • Feeling hot / flushing • Itching • “Nettle sting-like” rash / welts / hives (urticaria) • Red, itchy watery eyes • Itchy, runny or congested nose or sneezing • Swelling: face, lips, eyes, hands • Tummy pain • Vomiting or diarrhoea • Metallic (funny) taste in the mouth

  7. ActionMinorallergicreaction • Stay with pupil and call for help • Send for emergency medication and emergency protocol • Give prescribed antihistamine medication • If asthmatic, give 4 – 10 puffs of reliever inhaler (blue) • Contact parent or carer

  8. What are the symptoms? Severeanaphylacticreactions • Difficulty breathing, wheeze, breathlessness, chest tightness, persistent cough • Difficulty talking, change in voice, hoarseness • Swelling, tightness, itchiness of the throat • Swollen tongue • Impaired circulation – pale clammy skin, blue colour of lips and around mouth, decreased level of consciousness • Sense of impending doom • Becoming pale/floppy • Absent or very weak pulse • Collapse and unconsciousness

  9. ActionSevereanaphylacticreaction If child’s airway is open and child is breathing: • Send for emergency medication and care plan • Administer EipPen and record time • Dial 999 and request paramedic ambulance • Keep child in lying down position unless breathing difficulties • If child has breathing difficulties then keep in sitting position • If no improvement in 5 minutes give 2ndepipen • Contact parents and continue observation until professional help arrives

  10. Types of Reaction • Uni-phasic – rapidly developing severe reaction involving the airway or circulation. • Bi-phasic – early oral and abdominal symptoms, then a symptom-free period of 1-2 hours, then increasing symptoms involving breathing and circulation.

  11. Treatments Adrenaline is the mainstay of treatment:- • Reverses swelling. • Relieves asthma. • Constricts the blood vessels. • Stimulates the heartbeats. • A safe drug if given correctly Antihistamines – useful for minor allergic reactions or if reaction coming on more slowly Asthma inhalers

  12. Devices Epipen Auto injector: - • Adult dose 0.3mgs • Child dose 0.15mgs • 2year shelf life • Can be given through light clothing

  13. Devices Anapen auto injector: - • Adult dose 0.3mgs • Child dose 0.15mgs • 18 – 24 month shelf life

  14. Devices Jext auto injector:- • Adult dose 0.3mgs • Child dose 0.15mgs • Shelf life of 24 months • Can be given through clothing (including denim)

  15. Storage • Accessible. • Avoid extremes of temperature. • Clearly labelled. • In date.

  16. Management in schools • Allergen avoidance. • Early recognition of symptoms. • Crisis management.

  17. Allergen avoidance • Know the child, and their allergies. • Be allergy aware and risk assess. • Special occasions. • School trips. • Cookery lessons, science experiments. • School pets, bird tables.

  18. Crisis Management • Alleviating fear • Indemnity insurance. • Individual protocols.

  19. Who’s responsible for what? • Written consent. • Provide school with full information. • Ensure medicine is in date.

  20. A few things to think about! “ Will a supply teacher know who I am?” Kissing can seriously damage your health! Other training needs? e.g. Breakfast and after school clubs, school discos, sports clubs. School visitors, bus drivers/escorts. Mid-day supervisors, catering staff.

  21. Want more information? • Contact the Anaphylaxis Campaign Tel: 01252 542029 www.anaphylaxis.org.uk www.allergyinschools.org.uk Schools pack Video/DVD Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings. DH/DfES.

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