Do you know what an allergic reaction looks like?
According to new research, an alarming four out of five adults have no idea how to spot a severe allergic reaction or how to help despite Australia having one of the highest rates of food allergies in the world.
The Galaxy Research Poll also showed 70 per cent of adults do not know how to use a potentially life-saving adrenaline autoinjector or EpiPen.
Maria Said, CEO of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia warned the research revealed an extremely dangerous combination of lack of awareness and complacency.
“How to use an adrenaline auto-injector must become common first aid knowledge, just like CPR,” she says.
A baby’s eyes swell after a reaction to a food allergy. Source: Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia
Few people realise bananas and celery can also cause fatal allergic reactions
The poll commissioned by Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia suggests 85 per cent of Australian adults do not know the signs and symptoms of a severe allergy reaction to food.
The survey of 1000 Australians also found 69 per cent did not know how to help someone in an allergy emergency and six per cent said they would panic and hope someone else would know what to do.
The study showed most Australians were aware of common food allergies to peanuts and seafood, but few people realised other triggers like bananas and celery could lead to fatal allergic reactions.
It also revealed 56 per cent of those surveyed thought people with a food allergy were “over cautious” about what they ate and 27 per cent went as far as to say people had become “over-protective”.
Symptoms of an allergy reaction. Source: Kidspot.
Six-month-old baby has allergic reaction to nuts
Australian hockey player Luke Doerner’s six year old son Fergus was just six months old when it was discovered he had a severe peanut allergy.
Luke was having peanut butter on toast for breakfast and fed Fergus a little bit. Soon later the baby boy had a reaction. He broke out in welts all over his body and struggled to breathe.
Luke’s wife called an ambulance and fortunately little Fergus was given a shot of adrenaline in time. Since his reaction, Fergus has not had another anaphylactic reaction because his parents are vigilant, and they always carry an EpiPen.
This year Fergus started school, which made his parents more nervous with their son being out of their constant care.
“I don’t think parents understand how dangerous it can get, and how quickly things can go bad. It’s something other parents need to inform themselves and their children,” he says.
“Complacency does exist, especially with peanut butter allergies people throw it in with things like gluten intolerance, and say
it’s not that serious, but it can be very quickly, Until it’s your kid I don’t think people understand.”
Luke with his son Fergus, who has a severe peanut allergy. Source: News Corp.
How to spot an allergic reaction?
Food Allergy Week (May 15-20) aims to raise awareness about the importance of understanding this potentially life-threatening condition.
It is estimated more than 650,000 Australians have a diagnosed food allergy and there are about 30,000 new cases every year.
One or more of the following symptoms can indicate a severe allergic reaction:
- Dizziness
- Collapse
- Pale and floppy (young children)
- Swelling of the tongue
- Difficulty talking and/or hoarse voice
- Difficult breathing/noisy breathing
- Wheeze or persistent cough
- Swelling or tightness in the throat
It is important to remember a mild or moderate allergic reaction can quickly progress to anaphylaxis.
What should you do if someone is having a severe allergic reaction?
- Lay person flat and raise their legs if possible (if breathing is difficult allow to sit)
- Administer the adrenaline autoinjector (EpiPen)
- Call an ambulance
- Call their emergency contact
- After five minutes, if there is no response or their condition is worsening, administer a second adrenaline autoinjector
New guidelines focus on peanut allergy prevention.
