Campaign for Awareness of Life-Threatening Allergic Reactions
Over two thirds of UK adults would have no idea how to help someone suffering an allergic reaction, despite thousands of sufferers being admitted to hospital each year.
A new study by Allergy UK shows that 66% of British adults do not know how to use an Epipen to administer a potentially life-saving adrenaline shot. More than 12,500 people are admitted to hospital each year with emergency allergy outbreaks.
The charity has launched Allergy Awareness Week to raise awareness of the daily fear faced by serious allergy sufferers and the steps the public can take to inform themselves about vital first-aid.
Leeds mum Sarah Taylor Marshall has oral allergy syndrome, which makes her allergic to fruits, nuts, some herbs and anything acidic.
She told Radio Aire: “My tongue will swell, my throat will feel burn and then I’ll start coughing. The throat starts to close up and I struggle to breathe. I have to carry an Epipen because I’m also allergic to anti-histamines as well.”
“It does concern me if I’m out and about if it happens, because most people don’t know how to use an Epipen. Educating people is so essential, because eighteen months ago, I literally had an apple on the Monday and I was ok, had an apple on the Tuesday and went into full anaphylactic shock. It could happen to anyone.”
The research shows that 44% of allergy suffers live in daily fear of a dangerous reaction, while 68% of people admit they are “scared, hesitant or anxious” about giving someone an adrenaline jab.
Lindsey McManus, Deputy CEO of Allergy UK said: “Anaphylaxis is a sudden and severe allergic reaction which can be terrifying at best and fatal at worst. There is a concerning lack of awareness of this fatal condition.
“People need to understand the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction and have the knowledge and confidence to act swiftly if faced with an emergency. We are urging people to educate themselves on the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, which could potentially save lives.”
Allergy UK is calling on people to “recognise the symptoms, recognise the FEAR”:
- Face - is their face/ lips swollen? Have they gone pale? Are they lightheaded? - Eyes - is there a look of fear in their eyes? Are they red, watery and puffy? - Airways - are they wheezing/uncontrollably coughing? Do they have a shortness of breath? Are they unable to talk? Are they making a strange sound? - Rash - is there a red, raised, itchy rash anywhere on their body especially their face or neck?
If a combination of these symptoms is visible, the charity’s advice is to administer adrenaline into the outer thigh and call 999. If the symptoms do not improve after five minutes, administer a second dose of adrenaline into the other thigh.