ANAPHYLAXIS
Identification, Causes & Treatment
Some types of allergies, including allergies to foods and insect stings, can trigger a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. A life-threatening medical emergency, anaphylaxis can cause you to go into shock.
Identification
Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
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Loss of consciousness
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A drop in blood pressure
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Severe shortness of breath
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Swelling of the face, eyes or tongue
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Skin rash
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Light-headedness or dizziness
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A rapid, weak pulse
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Nausea and vomiting
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Adnominal pain
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Chest discomfort
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Difficulty swallowing
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Palpitations
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Slurred speech
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Abnormal breathing sound or wheezing
Causes
Typical food triggers: Peanuts, Shellfish, Fish, Milk, Eggs, Soy and Wheat.
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Medication: Penicillin, Painkillers, Anaesthetics
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Insect bites: Bee stings, Wasps, Jellyfish If a wasp or bee stings you don’t try to remove the sting with your fingers, as this will force more poison into the flesh. Use a blunt, flat object like a plastic ruler, credit card or butter knife to scrape over the area.
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Immediately call HEMS 082 695 1240. If you /the patient carries a Epipen give yourself/the patient a shot right away.
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Lie the patient down. If there is vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn the patient on his/her side. Do not give anything to eat or drink. If there are no signs of breathing, start CPR.
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Get emergency treatment even if the symptoms start to improve.