We're Back - It's Time to Talk About Allergies

Woo! It's time to celebrate!

Exams are over, and I'm now back in business!

For now, here's a First Aid Friday post!

St John Ambulance's "How to Treat Allergic Reactions" Video!



 Here's the transcript for the video, if you can't watch it:

An allergy is the body’s unexpected reaction

to something it comes into contact with, called an allergen.

Source: www.nutritics.com/

Allergens include plant pollen, insect stings, animal hair, fruit, nuts, shellfish and drugs.

A severe allergic reaction can develop within just a few seconds and can be fatal if not

treated quickly. The person may carry medication in the form of an auto-injector, a pre-filled pen filled with adrenalin or epinephrine and this can help reduce the body’s allergic reaction.

Source: www.team-consulting.com

If you think somebody maybe having a severe allergic reaction, there are six key things to look for - puffy eyes, difficulty in breathing, blotchy skin, swelling of the tongue and throat, anxiety and signs of shock.

Source: www.nhs.co.uk

When you call for an ambulance, make sure you tell them that you think the person is suffering a severe allergic reaction and what could have triggered it.
Help the casualty down into a comfortable position, sitting forward slightly will help with their breathing. Help them to find their auto-injector and get them to use it.
You may have to do that for them.
Read the instructions on the pen and follow them. 

For this one, take off the cap, hold it about 10 centimetres away from the outer thigh, and gently stab it into the thigh.
Hold it there for 10 seconds.
After 10 seconds gently remove the pen and massage the area for 10 seconds.

If the casualty becomes unconscious, perform a primary survey and treat for an unconscious casualty.

Source: www.sja.org.uk

Remember, for a severe allergic reaction, call for an ambulance, help them to take their

medication if they have any, and if they become unconscious, check their breathing.

That’s how we treat a severe allergic reaction.

Looking forward to some good posts!

 - Geeker