Question

CASE STUDY Jason, age 10, was brought to the emergency room by his mother. He had been stung by a bee and was having some difficulty in breathing. She thought he might be having an anaphylactic reaction. 1. What are the symptoms of a localized anaphylactic reaction? 2. What are the symptoms of a systemic anaphylactic reaction? 3. What is the treatment for an anaphylactic reaction?

Answer 1

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction. It can begin very quickly, and symptoms may be life-threatening. The most common causes are reactions to foods (especially peanuts), medications, and stinging insects. Other causes include exercise and exposure to latex. Sometimes no cause can be found.

It can affect many organs:

• Skin - itching, hives, redness, swelling
• Nose - sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose
• Mouth - itching, swelling of the lips or tongue
• Throat - itching, tightness, trouble swallowing, swelling of the back of the throat
• Chest - shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest pain or tightness
• Heart - weak pulse, passing out, shock
• Gastrointestinal tract - vomiting, diarrhea, cramps
• Nervous system - dizziness or fainting

Symptoms of localised anaphylactic reaction:

• Skin reactions, including hives and itching and flushed or pale skin.
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Constriction of your airways and a swollen tongue or throat, which can cause wheezing and trouble breathing.
• A weak and rapid pulse.
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Dizziness or fainting.

Symptoms of systemic anaphylactic reaction

• Abdominal pain.
• Feeling anxious.
• Chest discomfort or tightness.
• Diarrhea.
• Difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, or high-pitched breathing sounds.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Hives, itchiness, redness of the skin.

TREATMENT:

in anaphylaxix CPR may needed when breathing stops or heart stops beating. Medicine to given included:

Epinephrine or adrenalin to reduce body’s allergic response.

Oxygen help to breath

intravenous antihistamines and cortisone-to traduce inflammation of airbpassage and improve breathing.

A Beta Agonist such as albuterol to releive breathing symptoms

Anaphylaxis

Keep an Emergency Plan with You

You, your child, and others who supervise or care for your child need to recognize the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and how to treat it. Your child’s doctor will give you a written step-by-step plan on what to do in an emergency. The plan is called an allergy emergency care plan or anaphylaxis emergency action plan. To be prepared, you, your child, and others who care for your child need to have copies of this plan.

About Epinephrine

Epinephrine is the medicine used to treat anaphylaxis. The emergency action plan tells you when and how to give epinephrine. You cannot rely on antihistamines to treat anaphylaxis.

Know How to Use Epinephrine

Learn how to give your child epinephrine. Epinephrine is safe and comes in an easy-to-use device called an auto-injector. When you press it against your child’s outer thigh, it injects a single dose of medicine. Your child’s health care team will show you how to use it. You, in turn, can teach people who spend time with your child how to use it.

Always have two epinephrine auto-injectors near your child. Do not store epinephrine in your car or other places where it will get too hot or too cold. Discard if the liquid is not clear, and replace it when it expires.