An emergency set for allergy sufferers is useful and necessary if the person is prone to severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is the strongest reaction of the body to a certain substance, an allergen. This is when the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance, for example by releasing histamine.
This reaction can affect many different organs. Symptoms often occur on the skin, the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system. In severe reactions, several to all organ systems may be involved. In the worst case, anaphylaxis can be life-threatening within a short period of time and is a medical emergency that must be treated immediately.
Common triggers
Food (most common triggers, especially in children): Nuts, peanuts, fish, eggs, milk, shellfish and soya are the most common triggers of allergic reactions. However, in individual cases they can also be caused by almost any protein-containing food. For some allergy sufferers, even the smallest amounts of the allergen are enough to trigger severe allergic reactions.
Insect poisons (especially in adults): wasps, bees, bumblebees or hornets transmit poisons to humans during their bites. These poisons are potential allergens that cause an allergic reaction in some people. This might also be of interest to you: Hornet stings – That’s how dangerous they are drugs: Antibiotics, painkillers, anaesthetics and X-ray contrast media are the most common triggers for drug-induced allergic reactions. Others: Natural latex or other animal and plant allergens can trigger a reaction. In addition, the allergic reaction can be intensified by physical stress.
What are the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction?
Initially harmless symptoms can appear very quickly and suddenly, within minutes to hours after contact with the allergen. However, these initially harmless-looking symptoms can progress rapidly. First signs: Itching appears on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, sometimes also on the genitals, sneezing attacks, metallic taste in the mouth, mouth and throat tingling, as well as restlessness, hot flushes and redness of large areas of skin.
Mild symptoms: swelling of the lips, eyes and/or face, rashes, headaches, nausea, cramps, coughing and shortness of breath Severe symptoms: severe drop in blood pressure, unconsciousness, shortness of breath, cardiovascular and/or respiratory arrest What to do in an emergency? It is important in the treatment of the allergic reaction/anaphylaxis to react and be treated immediately. The following measures should be taken as soon as possible if a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis is suspected Stop the allergen supply or remove the affected person from the environment of the allergen as quickly as possible Use the emergency kit (see below) Notify the emergency doctor (112)
- Stop the allergen supply or remove the affected person from the environment of the allergen as quickly as possible
- Using the Emergency Kit (see below)
- Notify emergency doctor (112)
- First aid measures, depending on the symptoms (e.g. lying down in case of circulatory problems, stable lateral position in case of unconsciousness)
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