An allergic reaction can occur
after a person has been exposed to a substance
that they are sensitive to or are allergic to. The patient's
allergic response can range between being mild,
moderate to severe. The level of emergency care will
be based upon the severity of the allergic
reaction. The moderate to severe reactions can
literally be life-threatening and is referred to as Anaphylaxis. This will require emergency medical intervention such as the use of an auto injector epi-pen otherwise the outcome could prove to be fatal.
A simple allergic reaction
will consist of non-threatening symptoms
such as sneezing, watering eyes and a mild
itching of the skin. However, a true
life-threatening allergic reaction is referred to as an Anaphylaxis. This is a true emergency will
present with a variety severe allergic
reactions which may rapidly develop in seconds
and or minutes.
Some of the most common sources of allergic reactions and their routes of exposure may include but are not limited to the list identified below.
Foods and Beverages
Eggs
Nuts (All types; especially peanuts and
peanut butter)
Shell Fish (shrimp, clams, muscles,
oysters, lobster)
Fish
Foods and beverages with dyes and/or food
coloring
Foods and beverages with sulfa based
preservatives
Medications [via ingestion, intravenous (IV)
and transderm (skin)]
Aspirin
Blood and blood products
Contrast Dyes (x-ray, cat scan)
Penicillin and other antibiotic related
medications
Sulfa based medications
Injected
Any other Intravenous(IV)medications not
listed above
Insects Stings (honeybee, yellow jackets,
wasps, hornets, fire ants, etc.)
Marine Stings (Jelly fish)
Inhalation
Pollen
Peanut butter vapors have been reported
to initiate an anaphylaxis reaction.
Any other potential antigens that can be
administered via inhalation
Review our program section to see a complete list of our first aid programs.
