Frequently Asked Questions about Allergy and Anaphylaxis

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efore they are noticed by others. Children have unique ways of describing their experiences and perceptions and allergic reactions are no exceptions. Precious time is lost when adults do not immediately recognize that a reaction is occurring or don’t understand what a child is telling them. When a reaction begins, it is important to respond immediately, following instructions in the person’s Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan. The cause of the reaction can be investigated later. Because of the unpredictability of reactions, early symptoms should never be ignored, especially if the person has suffered an anaphylactic reaction in the past. 2 4. If a child is having an anaphylactic reaction you administer Epipen, Twinject or Allerject before calling 911. True or False? True. If you are alone with someone who is having an anaphylactic reaction, administer their Epipen, Twinject or Allerject prior to calling 911. If there are other people present, have someone else call 911 and report back to you while you stay and administer the auto-injector. 5. You always lay a person down flat when treating them for anaphylaxis. True or False? True: To improve blood circulation, caregivers should lift the person’s legs above the level of the heart, keeping the legs raised by putting something (e.g. a pillow) underneath. They should keep the person lying down until emergency responders arrive or until the patient has fully recovered. If the person feels nauseated or is vomiting, lay the person on his or her side, head down, to prevent choking on vomit It is important that the patient not be made to sit or stand immediately following a reaction as this could result in another drop in blood pressure. 6. It would be helpful to practice regularly with EpiPen/Twinject/Allerject demonstrators so that you are ready for an emergency. True or False? True. Studies have shown that patients, parents of allergic children, caregivers, teachers, and even healthcare professionals often cannot correctly administer the autoinjector when needed.
With proper training, people can successfully learn how to use an epinephrine autoinjector with confidence. Auto-injector trainers (or demonstrators) are must-have teaching tools that allow for hands-on learning. It is beneficial for participants to role play an emergency situation, similar to practicing a fire drill. This allows people to become familiar with the emergency procedure for dealing with an anaphylactic reaction, identify areas of improvement, and increase confidence in their ability to respond appropriately. The auto-injector trainers look like the real devices but do not contain a needle or medication. Practice with an auto-injector trainer (e.g. EpiPen,Twinject or Allerject) allows people to become familiar with the administration technique. 3 7. Epinephrine auto-injectors must be kept safely locked in the office until they are needed. True or False? False. Epipen/Twinject/Allerject auto-injectors should never be kept in a locked location. Auto-injectors must be kept in locations that are easily accessible (e.g. not in locked cupboards or drawers). These locations should be known to all staff members and caregivers. Individuals at risk of anaphylaxis are advised to carry an auto-injector and tell others where the device is kept, in case of an emergency. Many school administrators ask parents to provide a back-up auto-injector that is kept in a central, unlocked area such as the school office. Many children learn to carry their auto-injector in a waist-pack or “fanny pack” by the time they are in grade one or two. This will vary depending on the child’s development and skill level, level of support provided and education of peers and caregivers. Classmates and friends should be taught not to play with an auto-injector. 8. Many children are trained to look after themselves and can easily administer their own epinephrine auto-injector. True or False? False. No person should be expected to be fully responsible for selfadministration of an epinephrine auto-injector. Individuals may not physically be able to self-administer epinephrine when they are suffering from a reaction. They may be anxious about using a needle, may downplay the seriousness of a reaction, or may not want to draw attention to themselves. They may also be confused.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Allergy and Anaphylaxis

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