ANAPHYLAXISANAPHYLAXIS

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM SEVERE PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONALLERGIC REACTION

Brought to you by the Camp Atterbury Directorate of Emergency ServicesBrought to you by the Camp Atterbury Directorate of Emergency Services

www.foodallergy.org

What is anaphylaxis? What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe, Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe, potentially fatal, systemic allergic reaction potentially fatal, systemic allergic reaction that can involve various areas of the body that can involve various areas of the body (such as the skin, respiratory tract, (such as the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system). Symptoms occur within minutes system). Symptoms occur within minutes to two hours after contact with the allergy-to two hours after contact with the allergy-causing substance but, in rare instances, causing substance but, in rare instances, may occur up to four hours later. may occur up to four hours later.

What is anaphylaxis?What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylactic reactions can be mild to Anaphylactic reactions can be mild to life threatening. The annual life threatening. The annual incidence of anaphylactic reactions is incidence of anaphylactic reactions is about 30 per 100,000 persons, and about 30 per 100,000 persons, and individuals with asthma, eczema, or individuals with asthma, eczema, or hay fever are at greater relative risk hay fever are at greater relative risk of experiencing anaphylaxis. of experiencing anaphylaxis.

What are the common causes of What are the common causes of anaphylaxis?anaphylaxis?

Common causes of anaphylaxis include:Common causes of anaphylaxis include: Food Food Medication Medication Insect stings Insect stings Latex Latex

Less common causes include:Less common causes include: Food-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis Food-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis Idiopathic Anaphylaxis (reactions from unusual Idiopathic Anaphylaxis (reactions from unusual

sources) sources)

Who is at risk for having an Who is at risk for having an anaphylactic reaction?anaphylactic reaction?

Anyone with a previous history of Anyone with a previous history of anaphylactic reactions is at risk for anaphylactic reactions is at risk for another severe reaction. Individuals with another severe reaction. Individuals with food allergies (particularly allergies to food allergies (particularly allergies to shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts) and shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts) and asthma may be at increased risk for asthma may be at increased risk for having a life-threatening anaphylactic having a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. reaction.

What are the symptoms of an What are the symptoms of an

anaphylactic reaction?anaphylactic reaction?

An anaphylactic reaction may begin with a An anaphylactic reaction may begin with a tingling sensation, itching, or metallic tingling sensation, itching, or metallic taste in the mouth. Other symptoms can taste in the mouth. Other symptoms can include hives, a sensation of warmth, include hives, a sensation of warmth, asthma symptoms, swelling of the mouth asthma symptoms, swelling of the mouth and throat area, difficulty breathing, and throat area, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, a drop in vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousnessblood pressure, and loss of consciousness. .

What if this happens here at What if this happens here at Camp Atterbury?Camp Atterbury?

The most important thing to remember is The most important thing to remember is to carry your prescribed Epipen. The to carry your prescribed Epipen. The Atterbury Fire/EMS personnel and the TMC Atterbury Fire/EMS personnel and the TMC carry this device, but application may be carry this device, but application may be delayed by distance. This is time you or delayed by distance. This is time you or your battle buddy may not have.your battle buddy may not have.

TREATMENTTREATMENT

1.1. Keep patient calm and move to position Keep patient calm and move to position of comfortof comfort

2.2. Contact MP Desk @ 1109 for evacuation Contact MP Desk @ 1109 for evacuation to medical facility (be sure to inform of to medical facility (be sure to inform of patient condition)patient condition)

3.3. If a stinger is still embedded in the skin of If a stinger is still embedded in the skin of the patient, attempt to remove by the patient, attempt to remove by scraping with a credit card or similar tool. scraping with a credit card or similar tool. DO NOT SQUEEZE as the patient may DO NOT SQUEEZE as the patient may receive more venom.receive more venom.

4.4. Be sure to continually monitor patient for Be sure to continually monitor patient for changes until evacuated.changes until evacuated.

A severe allergic reaction can happen A severe allergic reaction can happen to anyone…at any time.to anyone…at any time.

Be alert…Be alert…and be aliveand be alive

A message from the Camp Atterbury Directorate of Emergency Services – LTC Glen E. Potts, DirectorA message from the Camp Atterbury Directorate of Emergency Services – LTC Glen E. Potts, Director