Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis
Some allergies can lead to a severe allergic reaction – known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.
Symptoms can occur quickly or within hours following contact with an allergen. Prompt treatment can save a life. If you have an adrenaline auto-injector – use it immediately.
Common causes
Common causes of anaphylaxis are wasp and bee stings as well as food, such as peanuts, nuts, sesame seed, fish and shellfish, dairy products and egg. Other causes include latex, penicillin and some other medications.
For some, fatigue or exercise may cause anaphylaxis – alone or in combination with other triggers like food or medication. Cold can also be a cause. In rare cases, a reaction can occur without apparent cause.
Symptoms
- Itching, especially under the feet, in the hands or on the head
- A stinging feeling in the mouth
- Swelling in the mouth, throat, lips or eyes
- Itching, redness or nettle-rash anywhere on the body
- Dizziness, anxiety, cold sweating
- Abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath or asthma symptoms
- Sudden fatigue, decreased blood pressure or fainting
- Disorientation or loss of consciousness
Critical symptoms: difficulty to breath, mouth and throat swell, sudden fatigue or dizziness, experiencing a steady worsening of symptoms.
If your client experiences these critical symptoms, inject adrenaline immediately. Call 999 and say “anaphylaxis”.
Treatment
Adrenaline is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. If you have an adrenaline auto-injector – use it immediately. Adrenaline injected into the outer mid-thigh muscle works rapidly to reduce throat swelling, open up the airways and maintain heart function and blood pressure. It is the only medication available for the immediate treatment of severe allergic reactions.
Antihistamine and steroid tablets. Antihistamine reduces hives, itching and irritation. Cortisone reduces the risk of late-onset reactions that can occur some hours following contact with allergens.
Who is at risk of anaphylaxis?
A person who has previously experienced anaphylaxis – irrespective of cause – is at risk in the future.
If the reaction was caused by peanuts, shellfish or fish, it should not be ignored, even if mild. This is especially important if the reaction was caused by peanuts. This is also the case for certain drugs, insect stings or latex. Your doctor will give you essential information and prescribe suitable medication.
When your client suffers from anaphylaxis
Do not underestimate the severity of an allergic reaction. Use your adrenaline auto-injector according to its instructions. If in doubt, use your adrenaline auto-injector – it can save their life. Then lay them down with their legs slightly elevated.
Call 999 and say, “anaphylaxis.” State your name, location and telephone number.
If possible, someone should wait outside to show the ambulance crew where you are.
Let ambulance personnel know about the client’s medical history and treatment undertaken.
Managing Complications
Anyone working in aesthetics or undertaking treatments that break the skin, i.e. injectables or involve the injection of application of a product that could cause an allergic reaction, should undertake appropriate training in managing complications. Training should be taken regularly to ensure you stay up to date with current regulations and feel confident in dealing with any issues that should arise.
Complications training is usually in addition to first aid and anaphylaxis training.
Understanding the array of issues that could be presented from aesthetic procedures will allow you to confidently provide treatments to your clients.
Invasive procedures always carry more risk than other treatments in a salon, and it is important that we are able to identify risk and know how to avoid it.
Emergency Plan
The emergency plan is the responsibility of the regulated independent prescriber. The emergency plan includes the appropriate onsite response, healthcare referral process and access to an emergency kit suitable to deal with adverse reactions or incidents. The regulated independent prescriber has a duty of care to their patients to follow regulatory guidelines set by their Professional, Statutory and Regulated Body.
The client may contact you directly with any issues, and you must also raise any concerns to the prescriber to arrange a care plan for the client.