Anaphylaxis Awareness Day 2016

20th May is Anaphylaxis Awareness Day

Anaphylaxis is an extreme and severe allergic reaction.

The whole body is affected, often within minutes of exposure to the substance which causes the allergic reaction (allergen) but sometimes after hours.

What can cause anaphylaxis?
Common causes include foods such as peanuts, tree nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, cashews, and Brazil nuts), sesame, fish, shellfish, dairy products and eggs.

Non-food causes include wasp or bee stings, natural latex (rubber), penicillin or any other drug or injection.

What are the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction?

• generalised flushing of the skin
• nettle rash (hives) anywhere on the body
• sense of impending doom
• swelling of throat and mouth
• difficulty in swallowing or speaking
• alterations in heart rate
• severe asthma
• abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
• sudden feeling of weakness (drop in blood pressure)
• collapse and unconsciousness

We have two children in Primary one with nut allergies and the Primary one year group will support this worry cause by wearing orange flowers on May 20th (flowers will be made in school).

The Primary one children will place posters around the school and further information can be found by using the link below.

http://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/