What to do if someone is having an allergic reaction
- Severe allergic reactions are medical emergencies and need immediate action
- Check the pen is in date and has clear liquid. Shake it well before administering
- Put the pen in the upper, outer thigh and hold for 10 seconds. Then rub the area
- If breathless, put them upright and bend their knees. If dizzy, lie them down
- Stay calm and supportive. Call paramedics immediately and say ‘anaphylaxis’
Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline
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First aid expert Emma Hammett is back with advice on how to give an EpiPen if you suspect someone is having a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Severe allergic reactions can be deadly, however, acting quickly could save somebody’s life.
Ms Hammett said: ‘Auto-injectors save lives.
‘It is an acute medical emergency and you need to act fast.’
In a video for The Hippocratic Post, Ms Hammett – founder and CEO of firstaidforlife.org.uk – talks you through how to successfully administer an EpiPen if you suspect someone is suffering a severe allergic reaction.
Scroll down for video
First aid expert Emma Hammett says acting quickly and correctly could save someone’s life
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HOW TO ADMINISTER AN EPIPEN
Take the pen out of its container.
Give it a shake.
Check the inner liquid is clear and the pen is in date.
Take off the cap and hold the pen in your dominant hand.
Insert it in the upper, outer part of the thigh. This can be done through clothes if needed.
Hold it there for 10 seconds.
Remove the pen and give the area a rub.
If the patient is breathless, encourage them to sit up and bend their knees.
Lie them down and raise their legs if they are dizzy.
Stay calm and supportive.
Wait for paramedics to arrive.
What to do first
If you have been prescribed one or several EpiPens or similar auto-injectors, it is vital you carry them with you at all times, Ms Hammett states.
Instructions on how to use the pen are written clearly on the side of the packaging.
If you suspect someone may be suffering a severe allergic reaction, do not hesitate giving them the adrenaline-containing medication.
Signs may include flushed skin, swelling of the throat or mouth, difficulty swallowing or speaking, an irregular heart rate, and abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.
Ms Hammett said: ‘Auto-injectors save lives.
‘You’re not going to make things worse, adrenaline is a natural substance.
‘Give the auto-injector quickly if you suspect a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction.’
EpiPens are given by first taking them out of their container and shaking well.
You should also ensure the pen is in date and the liquid inside is clear. It is then ready to administer.
Instructions on how to use EpiPens are written clearly on the side of their packaging
Before administering the medication, check the inner liquid is clear and the EpiPen is in date
Insert the pen into the upper, outer thigh and hold for 10 seconds. Remove and rub the area
How to administer
Ms Hammett said: ‘Take off the cap, hold it in your dominant hand and put it in the upper, outer part of the thigh.’
The pen can be given through clothes if needed, but it is better not to.
Ms Hammett said: ‘Hold it for 10 seconds to allow the medication to go in to the casualty, then you take it out and you give the area a rub.’
How to position the patient
If the patient is breathless they should be kept upright to help them breathe.
You should also encourage the patient bends their knees to help boost their circulation.
Ms Hammett added: ‘If they’re not breathless but they are showing signs of shock – they are clammy, they are feeling very light headed and dizzy – you want to lie them down and raise their legs.’
Either way, you must stay calm and supportive, and contact the emergency services.
You also do not want to encourage dizzy people to sit up until paramedics have arrived and assessed them, as this may cause their blood pressure to plummet.
Ms Hammett said: ‘You need to phone paramedics and say “anaphylaxis.” It is an acute medical emergency and you need to act fast.’
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