What do eggs, nuts and insect stings have in common?
They are all triggers of allergic reactions in children. Its thought that around 40% of children now suffer from allergies. The reaction to these allergies can range from fairly innocuous, to life threatening in the case of anaphylactic shock.
Anaphylactic shock is an abnormal bodily response to a usually harmless substance. It can occur within minutes of being exposed, and requires immediate treatment. There’s no way to ensure that the allergens which trigger anaphylactic shock can be avoided, particularly with young children where the risk is higher. Hidden triggers and cross-contamination are constant threats to allergy sufferers who may not realise they’ve been affected until its too late.
The ability to understand allergic conditions and deal with sudden or severe symptoms is an increasingly important aspect of childcare. St Johns Ambulance has been working with Allergy UK to produce a standard course that covers prevention, recognition and treatment of severe allergic reactions. Students on the course learn how to and when to use auto-injectors such as EpiPen & Anapen through demonstrations and practice. These are simple yet vital skills for anyone who has regular contact with a person prone to severe allergic reactions, or for people in childcare.
For more information about Anaphylaxis First Aid, call: 0844 880 2626 or log onto: www.sja.org.uk/anaphylaxisfirstaid
Category: Health News
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