Helping Patients with Allergic Reaction
Symptoms of a ‘mild to moderate’ allergic reaction:
- Swelling of lips, face and eyes.
- Rash.
- Mouth tingling and discomfort.
- Abdominal pain and vomiting.
How to aid the patient?
- Staying with the patient and asking for help.
- Making sure that the epinephrine autoinjector is ready for use in case the patient needs it.
- Contacting the patient family.
Severe allergic reaction
Symptoms
- Breathing difficulties.
- Swelling of tongue.
- Swelling and tingling in the larynx.
- Speaking difficulties or voice change.
- Continuous coughing or whistling.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Pallor or drowsiness (in children).
How to aid the patient:
- Adminster the epinephrine autoinjector.
- Call ambulance.
- Contact patient family.
How to give an epinephrine autoinjector?
- Remove the safety cap.
- Put the black end of the autoinjector device against the middle of the outer thigh (you can do it over clothes too).
- Push the autoinjector firmly over the thigh until it clicks, and hold the device in place for 10 seconds.
- Remove the autoinjector without touching it, and then massage the area after the injection for 10 seconds.