Imagine that if a child ate something containing a certain ingredient - an everyday perfectly innocuous ingredient to most of us - it could kill them within minutes. Imagine that you are the parent to that child and today is their first day at school on their own. That day cannot be put off forever. Your child wants to be like the other children and not have mum and dad look over their shoulders at every turn. You are having to let go and trust that they have listened to your constant nagging about only eating their packed lunch - and nothing else! You are forced to trust that the school will know how to administer an emergency adrenaline injection.
Of course, this is no fantasy; this is reality for many parents and their kids. And the numbers are growing all the time.
Allergic reactions are an increasing feature of the human race. Nobody can be sure why this is happening, although there are many plausible theories. Where most allergic reactions are mild, some are not. An anaphylactic shock is the worst kind of reaction. Although cases have increased, its rarity cannot be overstressed. However, it is worth exploring the issue, as one day, you may encounter someone who is suffering an anaphylactic shock.
What is it an anaphylactic shock?
It is an allergic reaction, or more precisely and allergic over-reaction.
Anaphylactic shock can
overwhelm the subject with simultaneous reactions at different locations
around the body. Anaphylactic reactions can vary from mild to life-threatening. Although
reactions are generally proportionate to the amount of allergen involved,
the severity will vary from one episode to the next, with no
apparent pattern.
What Causes it?
Sufferers have a malfunction with their immune system which reacts
inappropriately to certain substances that they come in contact with. This
contact may be external or internal. There is no exhaustive list of substances, as this
depends on the individual. Even traces of the offending substance can cause an
episode. Some of the more common triggers of an anaphylactic reaction
are:
For many sufferers the trigger is simply unknown despite efforts to isolate the substance. Indeed, some sufferers may react to substances that are so common they cannot practically be isolated. It is known that, in some cases, exercise can trigger an anaphylactic reaction.
What are the Symptoms?
Not all of the symptoms may be displayed. The onset of these symptoms is often sudden allowing limited time for treatment.
Is there a cure? What is the treatment?
There is no cure. If the allergen is known, then prevention is the best course
of action. This usually involves great efforts to screen out the offending
substance. If it is a food, such as peanuts, this will require close study of
the ingredients.
If an anaphylactic reaction has occurred then no time can be lost. The onset and development of the reaction can be immediate, or may be delayed and drawn out. If the reaction is severe then an injection of adrenaline may be required. This will supplement the body's own adrenaline production and accelerate relief. Many people at risk of anaphylactic shock carry a loaded syringe dosed with adrenaline. Although not risk-free in itself, adrenaline injections have been known to save lives. Managing the treatment of children can be a problem, depending on the age of the child and the competency of those caring for them. Many schools will ensure that teachers are trained in the use of adrenalin injection packs, and will have a pack close to hand. Others may not be so well organised.
Screening Out Allergens
Ensuring that you do not come intro contact with offending food allergens can be
a troublesome for most people, but usually achievable. For at-risk children,
though, this is more difficult. In the case of young children, parents may simply forbid
them to eat anything at school other than their packed lunch. This is easier said then
done! As the child grows, they should be given as much coaching in how to spot
the offending allergen, for instance in a list of ingredients. What if, however,
their best friend has brought in a cake that their granny has baked? No list of
ingredients here. This may sound trivial, but managing these kind of situations can be hard
and upsetting for parents and
for the children themselves.
Wasp and Bee Stings
When the allergen is food or latex, or some other substance, the problem is
manageable, albeit with great difficulty, especially when children are the
sufferers. When the allergen is a less manageable substance, such as the venom
of a wasp or bee sting, prevention is even harder. How do you stop a wasp from
attacking you or your child? There are ways to minimise risk:
Be aware that wasps and bees are only active at certain times of year. Wasps can be quite aggressive in the late summer when they are homeless and desperate for food and may attack with little provocation. It will be prudent, therefore to restrict your outside movements in the late summer and be vigilant throughout the rest of the summer. For your own garden you can deploy wasp traps. If you are planning a barbecue, arrange the traps in a circle around the barbecue area. The wasps are likely to be diverted to the traps as they are attracted by the lure they contain. Make sure the traps are well away from the subject. The more traps you have, the wider the circle can be. Many outside activity centres, such as fun parks and restaurants with gardens are increasingly deploying wasp traps for the benefit of their customers. In some jurisdictions, such measures may be considered a part of the legal duty of care owed to members of the public. You could take a few traps with you if you are planning a day out or are having a picnic.
For indoors, you may install some fly killers. These are machines that attract flying insects using ultra violet lamps and kill them. Although a wasp or bee sting cannot be ruled out, these measures will reduce the chances of such an event. Fly screens are another excellent way to prevent the entry of these pests.
Where there is some swelling around the locality of a sting, this is a normal reaction and not serious. Where there is swelling to other parts of the body this may signal an anaphylactic reaction. Although anaphylactic reactions are usually mild, such an occurrence should be taken seriously and should be referred to your doctor. Another sting at a later date may produce no reaction at all, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Finally, do not forget that the chances of you or your children suffering an anaphylactic shock are very unlikely. Deaths are extremely rare. For instance, insect stings only cause an anaphylactic reaction in less than half percent of the population.
Vernon Stent is the marketing consultant for Arkay Hygiene. Follow these links for wasp traps and fly killers