Learn about allergies and allergic reactions with first aid training

It is highly unlikely that you will go through life without meeting someone who suffers from a dangerous allergy, and most severe allergies are food related, insect bite related or to do with drugs. Often, without fast reactions and quick treatment, these allergic reactions can be life-threatening. At Emcare, we provide cutting-edge first aid training which addresses allergic reactions and best practices to assist those around you in the event of an emergency. In just a few minutes of reading, find out the basics of allergic reactions, how to treat them, and a rundown of what you will learn in your first aid training.

Emcare first aid training

Emcare offers various first aid training courses, many of which cover the basics of dealing with allergic reactions using best practices and procedures. Taking part in first aid training will not only equip you with the knowledge to assist someone in need, but may give you the confidence needed to step in and save the day.

Different types of allergies explained with first aid training

There are a plethora of allergies in existence, and each has its own unique triggers. An allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to an allergen (which is a foreign substance in your body). An allergen can be something you touch, inject into your body, inhale into your lungs or eat. This reaction can lead to a scratchy throat, sneezing, hives, rashes, coughing and itchy eyes – to name a few milder symptoms. In more severe cases, asthma attacks, low blood pressure, breathing trouble and death as a result of anaphylactic shock can occur.

As of yet, there is no cure for allergies. Despite this, one can manage their allergies with treatments and prevention. The following list is a brief rundown of some of the most common allergies to look out for in yourself and those around you:

• Insect bite/sting allergy explained with first aid training

It is unlikely that you will progress through your days without meeting someone who is allergic to insect bites or stings. Those who are allergic to insects usually find themselves in trouble when it comes to the following bugs:

- Bees
- Wasps
- Hornets
- Ants
- Cockroaches
- Dust mites

Apart from the latter two, the bites of these insects can trigger intense reactions from those who are allergic. Reactions can range from skin rashes to anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction to an antigen (the sting or bite, for example) to which the body has developed a hypersensitivity. In the United States, around 5 percent of the population suffers from insect sting allergies, while at least 90-100 related deaths every year in the same region have been recorded.

• Drug allergies explained with first aid training

Research has shown that severe drug allergies affect around 10 percent of the world’s population, and around 20 percent of all hospitalised people. The most common drug from which people suffer allergic reactions is penicillin, one of the most common antibiotics available. In simple terms, a drug allergy is the body’s abnormal reaction to a specific medication – whether that be prescription, over-the-counter or herbal. Symptoms such as fever, rash or hives are common in the case of drug allergies.

• First aid training preparing you for food allergies

There are around eight foods that cause most food allergy reactions, including:

1. Milk
2. Peanuts
3. Tree nuts
4. Soy
5. Fish
6. Shellfish
7. Eggs
8. Wheat.

A recent study found that peanut and egg allergy are likely the most common food allergies in South Africa. Knowing how to treat an allergic reaction to food in a public place is certainly a boon, especially if you are sitting in a restaurant and happen to witness a severe reaction. This is a skill you will learn when you take part in first aid training with Emcare.

• Mould allergy

In the case of a mould allergy, the sufferer’s immune system tends to overreact when breathing in mould spores. Some symptoms of this allergic reaction include coughing and itchy eyes. For some, asthma is a regular occurrence as a result of exposure – which leads to restricted breathing and airflow intake. Mould allergies also encourage other similar symptoms to respiratory illness, namely:

• Runny nose
• Postnasal drip
• Itchy nose and throat
• Watery eyes
• Scaly and dry skin

A person is at a higher risk for mould allergy if their home has a high indoor humidity, as this increases the likelihood of mould forming in the home. Mould has the ability to quite literally grow anywhere if the conditions are correct. It can be found growing behind walls, framing, damp surfaces, carpets and basements.

• Pet allergies

Suffering from pet or animal allergies does not stop you from bringing furry friends into your home. In fact, in most cases, you can live with your pets unless your allergy is highly severe. If one’s symptoms are relatively mild, they can be treated and alleviated with over-the-counter medication. Those with more moderate symptoms can reach out to their doctors who may recommend and prescribe prescription medication to combat the allergy’s effects.

• Skin allergies addressed in first aid training

Skin inflammation, eczema, contact allergies and hives all belong in the category of skin allergies. Those with skin allergies will have become familiar with the relevant triggers over the years, but the most common triggers are poison oak and ivy, grass, latex and contact with mites and other insects. In most cases, a cream or ointment can resolve the resulting symptoms.

First aid training information on allergy medicines

Some people who suffer from allergies have the option of taking medications to alleviate their symptoms. There are various allergy medications available for use, namely:

• Antihistamines: Medications in this category block histamine, the chemical that triggers swelling. Further, they can calm a stuffy nose, hives and itching. They come in the form of nose sprays, liquids, pills and melting tablets. Many resort to using them seasonally to treat allergies such as hay fever.

• Mast cell stabilisers: These medications stop your body from releasing histamine, and can assist in the treatment of a runny, itchy nose and watery eyes. They commonly come in the form of nose sprays or eye drops.

• Decongestants: These medicines assist with stuffy noses by shrinking the troublesome membranes in the nose that have become swollen as a result of allergies. They usually come in the form of sprays. However effective these medicines may be, if you use them for more than three days in a row, you may worsen the situation significantly.

• Nasal corticosteroids: Nose sprays form the bulk of this category, and they serve to reduce swelling and in turn, stuffy and itchy noses. They are great for nasal allergies.

• Corticosteroid creams and ointments: These medications stop the spreading of rashes as well as relieve itchiness. However, if allergic symptoms persist for more than a week despite appropriate applications, the one suffering must contact their doctor.

• Oral corticosteroids: These medications are usually prescribed to stop severe reactions in their tracks as well as reduce allergic swelling. Unfortunately, these medications can also cause worrisome side effects such as weight gain, hypertension and cataracts with extended use.

• Epinephrine: Commonly known by the popular brand, Epi-Pen, these self-injectable devices are used to stop a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). The shot is usually only effective if administered within minutes of the first serious sign of an allergic reaction. The injection is usually used to treat severe reactions to food, stinging insects, drugs and latex.

What exactly is an EpiPen and what is it used for?

EpiPen is one brand name of self-injectable or auto-injectable device that administers the drug epinephrine in the case of an allergic reaction emergency. This medication can be life-saving in the face of anaphylaxis. It works by blocking the progression of an allergic response within the body. It does this by constricting the blood vessels which in turn leads to increased blood pressure – and decreased swelling in relevant regions. As a result, the muscles around the airway begin to relax and allow the lungs some room to work effectively.

The medication also manages to prevent the release of added allergic chemicals, which stops the reaction process altogether. At this moment, epinephrine is the only medication that assists in a multi-organ and multi-system manner, making it an essential item to have in the near vicinity at all times. A doctor will recommend the auto-injector post-diagnosis, and those who need it must keep it with them at all times, especially during the following activities:

• Hiking
• Camping
• Cycling
• Traveling
• Visiting restaurants

The last location may seem surprising. However, it is not a rare occurrence for restaurant kitchens to utilise the same utensils and cooking instruments for different types of food in one session – allowing for transfer and mixing of different foods. For those with severe allergies to certain foods, this can be life-threatening, and an EpiPen or similar brand auto-injector can mean the difference between life and death in that moment. Those taking part in first aid training will learn how to responsibly wield and administer such a device, when exactly to use it as well as the importance of keeping one nearby at all times.

New research on allergies

Having allergies does not mean that someone will be unable to live their life normally. Those with severe allergies may be happy to know that there is ongoing research and treatments to alleviate the condition. Immunotherapy, for example, is one such treatment for a selection of allergies. Immunotherapy comes in the form of injections and sublingual therapy (small doses of an allergen under the tongue). Both options involve exposure to small doses of an allergen over a long period of time so as to improve tolerance to the substance and effectively reduce symptoms.

The injections are said to aid people with allergies to stinging insects, pets, dust, pollen as well as asthma. Shots do not work so well for allergies to medicines or food, however. Sublingual doses are available for grass, dust mites and ragweed allergies. Scientists are hard at work finding ways to develop similar therapies for food and medicines, and at present, all of the above methods are still in the research phase and are not in widespread distribution.

Do you have an allergy you may not know about?

The tendency to develop an allergy can often be hereditary, and if your parents have allergies, there is a chance that you may have the same allergy. If you are unsure as to whether or not you may be allergic to something, you can have a skin test performed in the case of a suspected drug allergy. The tester or nurse will administer a small amount of the drug to your skin either through an injection or patch. If the test is positive, a red and raised bump will form on the surface of the skin.