Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that needs urgent medical attention. Symptoms include breathing problems, throat tightness or tongue swelling, difficulty talking, wheezing, persistent cough, dizziness and fainting. Lay your child flat. Use an adrenaline auto-injector like EpiPen®. Then call an ambulance. It’s very important that children with anaphylaxis avoid the allergen that causes anaphylaxis.

About anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis happens when your child reacts to something in the environment called an allergen. Allergens might be something like food, insect stings or medication.

Anaphylaxis requires urgent medical attention. If your child is having an anaphylactic reaction, first lay him flat or keep him sitting. Don’t let him stand or walk around. Next use an adrenaline auto-injector like EpiPen® if one is available. Then call an ambulance.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis

If your child is having a severe allergic reaction, she might have one or more of the following signs or symptoms:

  • difficult or noisy breathing
  • swelling of the tongue
  • tightness in the throat
  • difficulty talking and/or a hoarse voice or cry
  • a wheeze or persistent cough
  • persistent dizziness or fainting
  • paleness and floppiness (in young children).

Sometimes, an anaphylactic reaction might seem like a mild reaction at first but will quickly get worse. So if your child has allergies, it’s important to watch your child closely whenever she has an allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis usually happens within minutes of your child being exposed to the allergen. But sometimes it can happen up to 1-2 hours later.

Testing for anaphylaxis

It is important to identify what’s causing your child to have an allergic reaction. It is usually done by ordering allergy testing.

Most children with allergies to egg, cow’s milk, wheat or soy bean outgrow their allergies by the time they’re 5-10 years old.

Peanut, tree nut, fish and shellfish allergies are more likely to be lifelong.

Treatment for anaphylaxis

Adrenaline is used to treat anaphylaxis. It works very quickly to reverse the symptoms of anaphylaxis.

If your child is at risk of anaphylaxis, he’s likely to be prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector – for example, EpiPen®.

It’s important that both you and your child learn how and when to use it. You and/or your child should carry the adrenaline auto-injector at all times. You can also teach others – family, friends, teachers and carers – how to use it.

If you think your child is having a severe allergic reaction, it’s safer to give the adrenaline auto-injector than to wait!

Not giving the adrenaline auto-injector can be more harmful than giving it, even if it’s not needed.

Managing anaphylaxis

Avoid the allergen
It’s very important for your child to avoid the allergen that causes anaphylaxis. This can be challenging, but there are important things you can do to help your child.

Here’s what you can do if your child has a food allergy:

  • Read labels on all foods. 
  • Be careful when you eat out. 
  • Avoid any foods or cutlery that could have been in contact with the allergen. 
  • Teach your child not to share food. 

Here’s what to do if your child has an allergy to insect stings:

  • Don’t let your child walk barefoot on grass.
  • Avoid dressing your child in bright colours.
  • Dress your child in long-sleeved shirts and pants when you can.
  • Teach your child not to drink from open soft drink cans outdoors.

If your child has an allergy to a medication, let your doctor, pharmacist or dentist know before your child has any treatments or takes any medications.

Let people know
It’s important that key people – like family, carers, babysitters and your child’s school – know that your child has a severe allergy. 

Discuss allergen immunotherapy (also called desensitisation) with an allergist.