Allergic Reaction Signs: Difficulty breathing including wheezing, swollen face, lips and tongue, hives, and/or red, itchy, swollen skin around area of reaction.
Treatment
- Call 9-1-1 or EMS (Emergency Medical Services) immediately!
- Keep the casualty calm, quiet and relaxed in a lying or sitting position.
- If the casualty is experiencing an asthma attack, ask if he/she has a prescribed inhaler. If so, assist him/her in accessing and self-administering the inhaler.
- If the casualty is experiencing a severe allergic reaction to a known allergen, he/she may have an auto-injector or EPI-pen (Epinephrine Pen) prescribed by a doctor. Assist him/her in accessing and self-administering the EPI-pen, if they have one.
- If it is obvious what the substance causing the allergic reaction is and this substance is safely obtainable, give it to Emergency Medical Personnel.
- If the casualty stops breathing, begin CPR immediately!
Also read Signs and Symptoms of Poisoning
Content excerpted from the Urgent First Aid Guide used by permission Copyright 2013 UrgentFirstAid.com
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