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What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis (anna-fill-axis) is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction
that involves several body systems: skin, upper and lower respiratory,
gastro-intestinal and cardiovascular. The most dangerous reactions are breathing
difficulties and a drop in blood pressure. These reactions can develop within
seconds of exposure; they are severe and can lead to rapid death if untreated.
Anaphylaxis requires an immediate response in the case of an
emergency.
A life-threatening reaction can be triggered by:
| • | food
| | • | insect stings (e.g., yellow jackets,
wasps)
| | • | medication
| | • | exercise
| | • | latex
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Food allergens
Food accounts for approximately 50% of all anaphylactic reactions and the
relationship is even higher in children. Any food can cause anaphylaxis but, in
North America, nine foods account for more than 90% of all reactions. These
foods are:
| • peanuts | • tree nuts
| | • shellfish | • fish
| | • milk | • eggs
| | • soy | • sesame seed
| | • wheat |
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Non-food allergens
Non-food sources may also trigger anaphylaxis. Common allergens include:
| • | playdough | • |
scented crayons
| | • | cosmetics |
• | wild bird seed
| | • | rubber latex (e.g. in
gloves, balloons, erasers, craft supplies, balls)
| • | peanut-shell stuffing
in “bean bags” and stuffed toys
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Health Canada also considers sulphite to be a ‘major allergen.’ It is often
found in processed foods and beverages and can trigger an allergic reaction in
sulphite-sensitive people.
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Symptoms
An anaphylactic reaction can begin within seconds of exposure, or several hours
after exposure. Any combination of the following symptoms may signal the onset
of a reaction:
| • | runny nose | • | red, watery eyes
| | • | swelling of any body part
(especially eyes, lips, face, tongue) |
• | itching (on any part of the
body)
| | • | flushing of the skin | • | vomiting
| | • | diarrhea | • | stomach cramps
| | • | change of voice | • | coughing
| | • | wheezing | • | throat tightness or
closing
| | • | difficulty swallowing | • | difficulty
breathing
| | • | sense of doom | • | dizziness
| | • | fainting or loss of
consciousness | • | hives (note: hives
may not develop, especially in severe or near-fatal cases of anaphylaxis)
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Safety precautions for people with anaphylactic allergies:
| • | avoid allergens
| | • | check labels and monitor intake of
allergenic food
| | • | wash hands before and after eating
| | • | learn to recognize symptoms of an
anaphylactic reaction
| | • | keep an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen®)
with you at all times
| | • | know how to use the EpiPen®
auto-injector
| | • | wear MedicAlert identification
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Anaphylaxis at school
On January 1, 2006, an act to protect anaphylactic pupils, commonly known as
Sabrina’s Law, 2005, came into force. The act requires every principal to:
| • | establish strategies to reduce the
risk of exposure to anaphylactic substances
| | • | inform school staff about anaphylaxis
| | • | arrange for training to prepare staff
to handle emergency situations
| | • | maintain an up-to-date file of current
information and establish an individual plan for each student with a
life-threatening anaphylactic allergy
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The act also authorizes school staff to administer medication to students if a
student goes into anaphylactic shock. Before a staff member can administer any
form of medication during school hours, the consent of the student’s parents or
guardians and written medical directions from the student’s physician must be on
record at the school.
In case of an emergency, school staff are authorized
to administer an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen®) to a student without the
written consent of the student’s physician and parent or guardian.
Responsibilities of parents/guardians of a student with an anaphylactic allergy
| • | Inform the school principal and
teacher of your child’s life-threatening allergies and arrange a meeting
before the child attends school.
| | • | Provide the school with your child’s
physician’s instructions for administering medication by completing the
required forms.
| | • | Provide the school with up-to-date
injection kits and keep them current.
| | • | Provide the school with any updated
information about your child, including emergency contacts and telephone
numbers and changes in medical conditions.
| | • | Provide support to the school and
teachers, as requested.
| | • | Provide your child with MedicAlert
identification and encourage him or her to wear it.
| | • | Consider participating in school trips
and excursions.
| | • | Teach your child to:
| o | recognize the first
symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction
| | o | communicate clearly (if
possible) when he or she feels a reaction starting
| | o | carry his or her own
auto-injector in a container (e.g. fanny pack)
| | o | eat only the snacks,
foods or drinks brought from home
| | o | understand the
importance of hand washing
| | o | assume as much
responsibility as possible for his or her own safety
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