Severe Allergic Reactions

PLSD Staff

August 2011

Sharon Schmitz, RN,MSN

Health Program Coordinator

Symptoms of Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)

• Flushed face• Dizziness• Seizures• Confusion• Weakness• Paleness

• Hives all over body• Blueness around

mouth, eyes• Difficulty breathing• Drooling or difficulty

swallowing• Loss of

consciousness

Possible Causes of Allergic Reaction

• Insect stings (bees)

• Medication

• Foods

• Sometimes unknown

Food Allergy Basics

• Symptoms may occur within minutes to two hours after ingestion

• Almost any food can cause a reaction

• There is no cure for food allergy

• Complete and strict avoidance is the only way to prevent a reaction

Eight foods cause 90% of allergic reactions in the US

• Milk

• Eggs

• Peanuts

• Tree nuts

• Wheat

• Soy

• Fish

• Shellfish

Food Allergy Basics

• Foods that cause the majority of severe or anaphylactic reactions:– Peanuts– Tree nuts– Fish– Shellfish

What does it mean to have a Food Allergy?

• Strict avoidance of that food

• Constant vigilance

• Tasting just a tiny bit can be deadly.

Causes of Accidental Exposures

• Not reading ingredient label to be sure food is allergen-free

• Food trading

• Inaccurate labeling

• Contamination from other foods from improperly cleaned utensils and table surfaces

Cleaning

• Cleaning is essential to prevent accidental exposure

• Hand washing is important.

• Use soap and water. QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

There is no way to know how serious a reaction will become,

so it is important to treat all reactions quickly

Food Allergy Facts

• The same food can cause different symptoms from one student to another

• Not all children have severe reactions to a food

• Some mild reactions may become severe• A food allergy management plan is needed

for all students with severe food allergy and may include the need to administer emergency medication

Managing food allergies in schools requires teamwork between staff, parents, and

students.

Allergen Avoidance

• Provide information for substitute teachers in a prominent place.

• Inform parent/guardians of allergic student in advance of any in-class event where food will be present

• Encourage hand washing before & after eating

Encourage Non food rewards

• Pencils, pens• Stickers• Bookmarks• Yo yo• Slinkies• Silly Putty• Crazy straws

• Extra recess• Certificate• Pat on the back• Verbal praise• Special seat• First in line• Listen to music

Allergen Avoidance• Be cautious of cross contamination of

surfaces where the substance may have touched.

• Tables, desks, countertops, etc. must be thoroughly cleaned to remove any debris.

Immediately initiate the allergy action plan if a student

reports symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Allergic Reaction Symptoms

• Respiratory Tract:– Itchy, watery eyes, running or stuffy nose, cough,

itching or swelling of the lips, wheezing

• GI Tract:– Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

• Skin– Hives, eczema, itchy, red rash, swelling

Symptoms may progress rapidly to severe reactions

AnaphylaxisSevere Allergic Reaction

• Potentially life-threatening reaction• Requires immediate medical attention• Effects multiple body systems

– Breathing difficulties– Drop in blood pressure– Shock

• Avoidance of the allergen is the only way to prevent allergic reaction

In the event of suspected reaction:

• Call 911

• Refer to student’s plan. Administer doctor and parent approved medication (epinephrine) as indicated

• Call parent

How to Administer an EpiPen

• Copy and paste the link below to view video on the proper administration of an EpiPen.

• http://www.epipen.com/how-to-use-epipen

Epi-pen Administration• Epi-pen is an Epinephrine Autoinjector• Remove from plastic cylinder• Remove grey cap• Place black tip against student’s outer thigh• Press firmly into outer thigh - hear click• Hold in place for 10 seconds• Remove device and massage gently for 10

seconds• Save device for EMT• Continue to monitor while waiting for squad• Student does not remain at school.

Transported by squad or parent

PLSD School Nurses 2011-12

• Rhonda Carmel, RN– Central – Diley

• Marni Dreher, RN– North

• Kim Hively, RN– Toll Gate Middle– Toll Gate Elementary– Heritage

Sharon Schmitz, RN

Harmon

Fairfield

Marcia Stewart, RN

Ridgeview

Sycamore Creek

Violet

Tami Tackett, RN

Lakeview

Pickerington

Tussing