ANAPHYLAXIS A Severe Allergy - PowerPoint Presentation

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ANAPHYLAXIS

A Severe Allergy

Arizona School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act

(SB1421) Passed on September

24, 2013 What does it mean for

our schools?

Requires training of all staff in the Recognition of the Symptoms of ANAPHYLAXSIS and How to Provide Assistance

Allows

schools to stock and administer auto-injectable

epinephrine

and

protects trained staff members from civil liability

Allows training of non nurse staff members

in the administration of auto-injectable epinephrine

Allergies occur when the immune system becomes

unusually

sensitive and overreacts to common substances that are normally harmless. Examples are:

Foods

– peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, milk eggs, seafood, soy, wheat,

sulphites

and mustard Insect bites – bees, wasps, hornets and some ants Medications – penicillin, sulfa drugs Exercise Latex – gloves/medical devices

WHAT IS AN ALLERGY?

WHAT IS ANAPHYLAXIS?

Occurs when a person is exposed to an allergen causing a

severe, life-threatening allergic response Reactions occur within minutes or, more rarely, up to a few hours after exposure

SYMPTOMS of ANAPHYLAXIS

Skin

– hives , swelling, itching, warmth, redness, rash Respiratory (breathing) – wheezing, shortness of breath, throat tightness, cough, hoarse voice, chest pain/tightness, nasal congestion or hay fever-like symptoms (runny itchy nose and watery eyes, sneezing), trouble swallowing Gastrointestinal (stomach): nausea, pain/cramps, vomiting, diarrhea Cardiovascular

(heart): pale/blue

color

, weak pulse, passing out, dizzy/lightheaded, shock

Other

: anxiety, feeling of “impending doom”, headache, uterine cramps in females, metallic taste

How a student may describe symptoms of Anaphylaxis

This food is too spicy

My tongue is hot (or burning)It feels like something is poking my tongueMy tongue (or mouth) is tingling (or burning)My tongue (or mouth) itchesIt (my tongue) feels like there is hair on it

My mouth feels funny

There’s a frog in my throat

There’s something stuck in my throat

My tongue feels full (or heavy)

My lips feel tightIt feels like there are bugs in there (to describe itchy ears)It (my throat) feels thickIt feels like a bump is on the back of my tongue (throat)

Why Are Our Students At Higher Risk?

Increased

independence Increased risk taking behavior ‘invincible’Eating unsafe food, sharing food, and eating out Not

carrying auto

injector-( lack insurance coverage, $, understanding, etc.)

The

part of the brain that makes decisions is the last to mature

Not telling friends, wanting to fit in or Their first exposure/ reaction occurs at school *One in 13 kids has a food allergy and 25 percent have their first reaction at school

People with a risk of risk of

ANAPHYLAXIS are taught to follow the THREE

A’S: Awareness

Know

the triggers

Know

the emergency plan and how to administer epinephrine via the auto-injector

AvoidanceAvoid contact with allergensAction Give auto-injector and call 911. Don’t delay!

What Should

I Do?

Be aware of students who have a risk of ANAPHYLAXIS in your classroom/schoolRecognize the symptoms Allow student to administer single dose auto-injectorCall the Security/Nurse

***Call 911 if you cannot reach someone immediately

*

Epinephrine is the only way to reverse the effects of anaphylaxis.

Must be given

ASAP *Epinephrine may only last for 15 minutes, calling 911 is very important

How Can I Help AFTER The Student Uses Their EPI PEN And Before Help Arrives?

If

dizzy or faint have student lie down If nauseated or vomiting, have the student lie on their side to prevent choking

If breathing is

difficult the student may

sit up

Loosen tight clothing and cover student with blanket Don’t give the student anything to drink Do Not Leave the Student Alone!

The End