ANAPHYLAXIS TRAINING

Brookfield Public Schools

Health Services

Beth O’Connor, BSN,RN

2021

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life threatening allergic reaction.

• The most common allergens are food, medications, insect stings and latex
• Less common triggers include exercise, x-ray dye, cold air, cold water
• It can happen minutes to hours after being exposed to the allergen.
• A second phase of reaction, called biphasic reaction, can happen hours after the first symptoms have resolved
• It requires immediate treatment with medication, epinephrine, and 911 called for transportation to an emergency room.

The most common food allergens:

Peanuts*

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Tree Nuts

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Milk/Dairy

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Eggs

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Wheat

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Shellfish

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Fish

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Soy

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Sesame

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*Note: Peanuts are a LEGUME, not a NUT!

Other common allergens:

Insect venom

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Medications

Latex

How do you prevent anaphylaxis?

Strict avoidance of the allergen is the only way to prevent anaphylaxis!

• Do not share food
• Wash hands with soap and water. Hand sanitizer does NOT remove food proteins and therefore should not be used for this purpose
• Prevent cross-contamination when preparing or serving foods
• Get parent permission before giving any food to a student with a diagnosed food allergy. Do not try to determine for yourself if a food is safe for a student to eat.
• Do not use a student’s allergen for instructional purposes.
• Read BPS BOE policy 5141.25 regarding allergies

What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis?

Skin- Itching, flushing, hives or swelling

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Eyes- Itching, tearing, redness, swelling around the eyes

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Nose and mouth-Sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, swelling of the tongue, metallic taste

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Lungs and throat- Wheezing, repetitive coughing, trouble breathing, chest tightness, swollen and/or itchy throat, hoarseness

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Gut- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps

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Heart- Dizziness, weakness, low blood pressure, weak or slow pulse

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Nervous system- Anxiety, feeling of impending doom, confusion

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How do you know it is anaphylaxis?

Symptoms can occur alone or in combination

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Any symptom in a severe state from one body part. For example: covered in hives all over the body. This is anaphylaxis.

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Or mild symptoms from two or more body parts. For example: a few hives (skin) and a itchy mouth (mouth). This is anaphylaxis.

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Note: not all severe allergic reactions will have skin involvement such as hives, rash or swelling.

How is anaphylaxis treated?

• Take action IMMEDIATELY!
• Give the medication, epinephrine: inject into the outer thigh using an autoinjector device (can be given through clothing)
• Rub the injection site for 10 seconds, then elevate the legs above the heart
• Call 911 for transportation to the emergency room
• Antihistamines (Benadryl, Zyrtec) do NOT stop anaphylaxis!

Types of Epinephrine autoinjectors:

These all contain the same medication, epinephrine, only the delivery device is different.

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Prior to any field trip, you will be instructed how to use your student’s autoinjector.

Click here to watch the Epipen “how to” video.

( Note: the video pauses when you need to read the text)

Please complete the staff training verification form!

Resources:

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American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: https://www.aaaai.org/

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: https://www.aafa.org/

Epipen4Schools: https://www.epipen4schools.com/

FARE: https://www.foodallergy.org/

Food Allergy & Awareness Connection Team: https://www.foodallergyawareness.org/

UptoDate: Patient education: Anaphylaxis symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics): https://www.uptodate.com/contents/anaphylaxis-symptoms-and-diagnosis-beyond-the-basics