ALLERGIC REACTION
A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can be life-threatening. It is caused by exposure to insect and animal venoms (such as wasp or jellyfish stings), plant products, medications, or any other agent to which the victim’s immune system has been previously sensitized.
Symptoms include low blood pressure (shock); difficulty breathing (severe asthma) with wheezing; swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, and vocal cords (leading to airway obstruction); itching; hives (red, raised skin welts that may occur singly or in large patches); nausea and vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal pain; seizures; and abnormal heart rhythms. Any or all of these symptoms may be present in varying severity. The most common life-threatening problem is respiratory distress. Facial swelling indicates that the airway may soon become involved. Be ready at all times to protect and support the airway.
TREATMENT FOR AN ALLERGIC REACTION
1. Administer aqueous epinephrine (adrenaline) 1:1,000 in a subcutaneous injection (see page 474). The adult dose is 0.3 to 0.5 mL; the pediatric dose is 0.01 mL/kg of body weight, not to exceed a total dose of 0.3 mL. For weight estimation, 1 kg equals 2.2 lb. The drug is available in preloaded syringes in certain allergy kits, which include the EpiPen autoinjector and EpiPen Jr. autoinjector (Dey), the Twinject autoinjector (Verus: 0.3 mg or 0.15 mg doses; 2 doses per unit), and the Ana-Kit. Instructions for use accompany the kits. The EpiPen and Twinject epinephrine products are generally easier for laypeople to use, because they require less dexterity to accomplish injection with them. The Twinject autoinjector and Ana-Kit syringe are configured with enough epinephrine for a second (repeat) dose, which is sometimes necessary. The Twinject is a true autoinjector for the first dose; the second dose is delivered as a routine injection from a concealed syringe and needle.
Related posts:
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
