One of Regtransfers' aims is to provide helpful and informative content related to cars and motoring: that includes information on matters of health and safety.
This series of in-car emergencies articles collates and curates information and advice from official sources such as the government and the NHS as well as other, bona fide authorities, including major charities and academic organisations.
Anaphylaxis awareness week
The week of 1st to 7th October 2024 is Anaphylaxis Awareness Week. The annual event aims to raise awareness of serious allergies and anaphylactic reactions. It is promoted by Anaphylaxis UK, previously known as the Anaphylaxis Campaign.
What is anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis, sometimes called anaphylactic shock, is an extreme, and potentially life-threatening, allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis is considered a medical emergency.
The Anaphylaxis UK website describes it thus:
Anaphylaxis (pronounced anna-fill-axis) is a serious and often sudden allergic reaction, requiring emergency treatment.
Any allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, occurs when the body’s immune system wrongly identifies a food or substance as a threat.
Reactions usually begin within minutes and rapidly progress, but can occur up to 2-3 hours later.
Allergic reactions can be triggered by many things: food ingredients, chemicals, animals, insect stings or even medicines. They can happen to people who didn't even realise they were allergic to something. Confirmed statistics are hard to find, but every year, people die or become very seriously ill from anaphylaxis. A number of tragic anaphylaxis fatalities have been widely reported in the media over the last few years, and the issue of allergens in food is an ongoing problem.
What have allergic reactions got to do with cars?
We spend a lot of time in our cars, which means we sometimes encounter unexpected situations, a few of them potentially dangerous.
When out and about, people are very likely to come into contact with allergens they might never encounter at home. We often grab food on the go from outlets we've never visited before. Whether it's hot food from a drive-through or a sandwich from a supermarket, food may contain ingredients we're unaware of, or may not have tried before. And it's not just about food: many of us have shared a car with an uninvited wasp or bee at some time.
How to recognise anaphylaxis
The following is a list of symptoms of anaphylaxis. Each case is different. There may be additional symptoms not listed here, and not all of these symptoms may be present. Symptoms may include:
- itchy skin or a raised, red skin rash;
- swollen eyes, lips, hands and feet;
- feeling lightheaded or faint;
- swelling of the mouth, throat or tongue, which can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties;
- wheezing;
- abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting;
- collapse and unconsciousness.
What to do in case of anaphylaxis
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If the patient has medication for the condition, help them to administer it. If the person has a history of allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, they may have been prescribed medication such as an adrenaline auto-injector. They should use their medication in case of a suspected allergic reaction, even if symptoms seem mild or moderate.
- If the patient is able to do so, let them administer their own medication. They will have been taught how to do it.
- Only if the person is unable to administer their own medication, or if you have been trained to do so, do it for them in accordance with the directions on the packaging.
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Make a note of the time that the first dose of medication is given.
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Call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Tell the operator that it is an emergency case of anaphylaxis. Answer the operator's questions whether or not they seem relevant to you. The operator may instruct you to stay on the line.
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Help the patient to lie down and elevate their legs.
This will help restore and maintain blood circulation to essential organs.
- If the patient is having difficulty breathing they may be propped up or sit up, but only for as long as is essential.
- The patient must not stand, walk around or change position suddenly, even if they feel better. Wait for qualified medical assistance.
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If the patient is pregnant, they should lie on their left side.
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If necessary (and available), administer a second dose of medication.
If there is no improvement after 5-10 minutes, or if the patient's condition seems to improve initially but then worsens again, a second dose of the medication should be administered, if the patient has a second dose available. The second dose should be administered in the opposite thigh to the first.
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Stay with the patient until the ambulance arrives.
Reassure the patient and monitor their condition. If their heart and/or respiration stop, perform CPR in accordance with training or instruction from the 999 operator.
Preventing allergic reactions
If you suspect that you may be allergic, go to your GP for advice. If the thing or things to which you are allergic have been identified, obviously avoid those things.
- In the case of food, always check the ingredients. If there is no labelling, or the seller cannot guarantee that your allergen isn't present, it's best not to risk it.
- If you are allergic to wasp or bee venom:
- Try to minimise the amount of exposed skin. Long sleeves will help.
- Remember that bright colours may attract bees and wasps.
- Don't try to shoo wasps and bees away by flapping your hands.
- If one should land on you, don't panic: they will usually fly away pretty quickly.
- Don't sit near waste bins.
- Keep food covered or in containers.
- Wipe your mouth after eating, especially after eating sugary foods.
About auto-injectors
Your doctor can prescribe medication to use if you have an allergic reaction. This will probably take the form of an auto-injector. These are commonly known as EpiPens, although EpiPen is actually a brand name: the generic term is auto-injector. These are often shaped like a fat pen and they contain a dose of adrenaline. It is likely that you will be instructed to carry two doses.
If you have been prescribed auto-injectors in case of reaction, you should carry your auto-injectors with you in a pocket or bag.
Look after your medication
Don't leave your auto-injectors in the car. Medicines should not be subjected to very high or very low temperatures, and cars can experience both. Also, if you don't actually carry your auto-injectors with you, you may not have them to hand if you need them.
Expiry dates are another reason not to leave medication in the car. Most medication will be marked with an expiry date, which you should check regularly. If your medication expires, take it to a pharmacy for disposal and get it replaced.
Sources
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anaphylaxis
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/immune-system/anaphylaxis
https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/about-anaphylaxis/what-to-do-in-an-emergency
https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/learn-first-aid/allergic-reaction
https://www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/anaphylaxis
https://www.resus.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-05/Emergency%20Treatment%20of%20Anaphylaxis%20May%202021_0.pdf
