1 Summon help
2Make victim comfortable
3Look for Epipen
4 Monitor victim
28 FIRST AID
Anaphylactic shock
People who have an extreme sensitivity to a specific substance can suffer a rare and severe type of allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. The reaction spreads through the body, causing a sudden drop in blood pressure and narrowing of the airways, and can be fatal. The aims of first-aid treatment are to help the victim inject epinephrine( Epipen) and to summon help.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• Itchy red skin rash
• Swollen face, lips, and tongue
• Anxiety
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing
TREATING ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK
1 Summon help
• Dial 911 or call EMS, or ask someone else to do so.
• Tell the dispatcher if you know what has caused the reaction.
2Make victim comfortable
• If the victim is conscious, help him into a sitting position to ease difficulty breathing.
Sitting up should aid victim’ s breathing
3Look for Epipen
• If the victim has an Epipen, get it for him so that he can administer it.
• Epinephrine is usually administered into the outer thigh, through any clothing.
4 Monitor victim
• Monitor victim’ s breathing( p. 68 for an adult, p. 71 for a child or baby), pulse( p. 68 for an adult, p. 70 for a child or baby), and level of consciousness( p. 12) every 10 minutes until help arrives.
!
Place Epipen against thigh and depress needle
Important
• Stay with the victim at all times, except if you have to leave him to dial 911 or call EMS.
• If the victim becomes unconscious, open his airway, check his breathing, and be
prepared to begin resuscitation( pp. 12 – 20).