Pediatric Doctor Scott Hamilton with Lafayette General Health stopped by Passe Partout this morning to talk about what to do in the event your child experiences a severe allergic reaction.
What are severe allergic reactions?
“Regular” allergic reactions are like hayfever sniffles, itchy hives, and other rashes. Severe reactions, AKA anaphylaxis, involve 2 or more organ systems (respiratory, skin, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal) in a life-threatening way.
So what does anaphylaxis look like?
It often involves throat and tongue swelling, wheezing, being shocky (pale and weak), and vomiiting.
What causes anaphyalxis?
Typically ingested things, like allergenic foods and medicines.
What do you do?
- Call 911!
- Use an Epipen
- Give Benadryl
- Be ready!
- Avoid allergens