Female Focus
Page 23
A life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can cause shock, a sudden drop in blood pressure and trouble breathing. In severe cases, untreated anaphylaxis can lead to death within half an hour.
Allergic reactions can occur extremely quickly In people who have an allergy, anaphylaxis can occur just minutes after exposure to a specific allergy-causing substance (allergen). However in other cases, there may be a delayed reaction or anaphylaxis may occur without any apparent trigger. This does not mean that these cases are any less serious.
If you’re with someone having an allergic reaction with signs of anaphylaxis these are the things to do: - If they are a member, immediately call the Asociacion Amigos Europeos de Javea (AAEdJ) Ambulance service. AAEdJ is a private ambulance service available 24/7 all 365 days of the year, covering almost all of Costa Blanca North. The ambulances of AAEdJ are fully equipped (think mobile intensive care units) and give the best chance of rapid attention. If they are not a member of AAEdJ then call 112 for a Spanish State Ambulance.
- Ask the person if he or she is carrying an epinephrine autoinjector
(EpiPen,
Auvi-Q, others) to treat an allergic attack. If the person says he or she needs to use an autoinjector, ask whether you should help inject the medication. This is usually
done by pressing the autoinjector against the person’s thigh. - Have the person lie still on his or her back. Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket. Don’t give the person anything to drink. - If there’s vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking. If there are no signs of breathing, coughing or movement, begin CPR. Do uninterrupted chest presses - about 100 every minute - until the ambulance arrives.
FF - Your healthy magazine What to do in case someone suffers a severe allergic reaction
- Get emergency treatment even if symptoms start to improve. After anaphylaxis, it’s possible for symptoms to recur. Monitoring in a hospital for several hours is usually necessary. If you’re with someone having signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, don’t wait to see whether symptoms get better. Seek emergency treatment right away.
Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Skin reactions, including hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin. Swelling of the face, eyes, lips or throat. Constriction of the airways, leading to wheezing and trouble breathing. A weak and rapid pulse. Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. Dizziness, fainting or unconsciousness.
Some common anaphylaxis triggers include: Medications. Foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. Insect stings from bees, yellow jackets, wasps, hornets and fire ants. If you’ve had any kind of severe allergic reaction in the past, ask your doctor if you should be prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector to carry with you.
However, for peace of mind, and just in case an ambulance is needed for any kind of allergic reaction, or for any other medical emergency, to become a member of the AAEdJ call and speak with Laure Bolufer the Registration Manager on 96 579 6099 (Laure works from 10am to 1pm weekdays).
ASOCIACION AMIGOS EUROPEOS DE JAVEA. Avenida Juan Carlos 1, No 69, 03730 Javea. Telephone 96 579 6099 (24hr) Email:
amigos_europeos@yahoo.es.
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