HOW DO YOU PREVENT ANAPHYLAXIS?
- An established anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan (EAP):
- Contact information
- Names and phone numbers, including family members to be contacted in an emergency
- Details allergies/known trigger factors
- Generic and proprietary names of drugs and possible cross-sensitivities to drugs, if relevant
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of mild, moderate and severe allergic reactions
- Treatment medication prescribed and when it should be used
- Clear statement of the need to administer adrenaline
- When to call emergency services
- Where medication is stored at home, in school, or workplace
- Review dates for prescribed medication if appropriate, e.g. when child reaches 30 kg in weight or expiration dates
- Number of injectable adrenaline devices (e.g. Epipens) required
- Who is trained to administer medication in home, school, workplace
- Knowledge of the use of epinephrine auto injectors
- Contact information
- Understand of the importance of epinephrine auto injectors
- Be aware of which athletes who have allergies and need or use Epi-pens
- Inform the correct personnel (e.g. coaches, assistants) of athletes with allergies and their triggers
- Have athletes avoid triggers (e.g. foods, medications, insects, cold air)
- Epi-pens should be carried at all times by those with a known life-threatening allergy
- Be aware of athletes that have experienced an anaphylactic reaction in the past
- Advise them to see an allergist for testing and education if need be
- Those at risk for anaphylaxis should wear or hold medical identification
Common anaphylaxis mechanisms and triggers include the following categories and examples:
- Foods (i.e., nuts, shellfish, fish, milk, egg, etc)
- Venoms (i.e., stinging insects)
- Medications (i.e., NSAIDs)
- Rubber latex
- Radiocontrast media
- Physical factors (i.e., exercise, cold, heat, sunlight, emotional stress)
- Ethanol (i.e., wine, beer)