Allergic reactions

Dealing with allergic reactions

Recognizing the first signs of a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and taking immediate action with emergency medication can be the difference between life and death.

Plan ahead

• Check the 4-H member's health form for any listed allergies. You can get health forms from your local Extension educator or in 4HOnline. Read more about Club Leader access to 4HOnline.com.

• If a participant has a severe allergy, discuss with the adult who brings the child and have a plan in place if an emergency should occur.

• Alert other volunteers or adults present of the health concern and review your plans in the event of a severe reaction.

• Find out if a 4-H member with severe allergies has medication available.

• Work with the local Extension educator to know where the medication is kept and how it's used.

• Be aware of items that can cause allergic reactions, such as:

  • Food – the most common foods are peanut butter, tree nuts, wheat, milk, eggs and shellfish. 

  • Toxic plants

  • Bee stings and other bug bites

  • Latex 

  • Mold and other things in the environment that could trigger reactions.
    
    

Identifying an allergic reaction

• • Signs and symptoms vary greatly from person to person.

  • Symptoms may develop very quickly, within seconds of exposure to the allergen or evolve over an hour or more.

  • The most common signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

    • Coughing, difficulty or irregular breathing, wheezing, itchy throat or mouth, and difficulty swallowing

    • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea

    • Itchiness, red bumps or welts on the skin (hives) and skin redness

    • Dizziness, fainting or unconsciousness

    • Heart palpitations, chest discomfort or tightness

    • Mental confusion

    • Swelling of face, eyes, lips or throat

    • Weak and rapid pulse

• Allergic reactions are serious and are considered a medical emergency when signs or symptoms are particularly severe.

  • Loss of consciousness or difficulty breathing.

  • Different parts of systems of the body are involved, such as a combination of hives and vomiting.
    
    

If you see signs of serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis):

• • Immediately call 911 or your local medical emergency number

  • Ask the person if they are carrying an epinephrine injection, such as an EpiPen, EpiPen Jr or Twinject or other auto-injectors to treat an allergic attack.

  • If the person indicates they need to use an auto-injector, ask whether you should help inject the medication. This is usually done by pressing the auto injector against the person’s thigh.

  • Have the person lie still on their back.

    • If they are vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn them on their side to prevent choking.

  • Loosen tight clothing and cover them with a blanket. Don’t give the person anything to drink. 

• If there are no signs of breathing, coughing or movement, begin CPR.

• Get emergency treatment even if symptoms start to improve.

• Treating anaphylaxis doesn’t end with injecting epinephrine, even if the person feels better. The next step is seeking medical care at an emergency room. Monitoring in a hospital for several hours is usually necessary.

Learn more about serious allergic reactions.

Contact

Pat Morreim, program manager, morre002@umn.edu, 763-427-5428