Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction at the extreme end of the allergic spectrum. Anaphylaxis may occur within minutes of exposure to the allergen, although sometimes it can take hours. It can be life-threatening if not treated quickly with adrenaline.
Any allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, occurs because the body’s immune system reacts inappropriately in response to the presence of a substance that it perceives as a threat. Anaphylaxis can be accompanied by shock (known as anaphylactic shock): this is the most extreme form of an allergic reaction.
Common triggers of anaphylaxis include:
- peanuts and tree nuts – peanut allergy and tree nut allergy frequently cause severe reactions and for that reason have received widespread publicity
- other foods (eg dairy products, egg, fish, shellfish and soya)
- insect stings
- latex
- drugs
On rare occasions there may be no obvious trigger.
Allergies are increasingly common and it is likely that there will be pupils in your school with allergies and some may be at risk of anaphylaxis. Research has shown that 1 in 70 children are allergic to peanuts but this figure may be as high as 1 in 50 if tree nuts are included.
The anaphylaxis section of ‘Medical Conditions at School: A Policy Resource Pack’ provides information to school staff on anaphylaxis including its symptoms, medication and treatments, triggers and emergency procedures.
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