Treatment / What you should do if your child has anaphylactic reaction
If you suspect that your child is having an anaphylactic reaction, you should call 911 immediately to get medical attention, since this condition can worsen rapidly and become life-threatening.
Children who have previously had an anaphylactic or serious allergic reaction should carry a dose of epinephrine that can be injected by the child or by his or her parents at the first signs of anaphylaxis. Epinephrine is a hormone that helps to open the airways and improve breathing, improves blood pressure, and decreases the allergic reaction in the body.
Whenever epinephrine is used, the child should be taken to an Emergency Department immediately.
While you are waiting for the doctor or ambulance, you should get other people to help in case resuscitation should become necessary. Loosen any tight clothing and try to calm your child, who will often be very scared and not understand what is happening. Let your child sit up straight, or nearly straight, to help his or her breathing.
If your child vomits, then lay him on his side.
If your child seems listless or is showing signs of circulation failure, such as pale, clammy, and cool skin, you should lie your child down and raise his legs. If your child loses consciousness, you should watch the child carefully in case he stops breathing or loses circulation.
If the child is not breathing, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If you are unable to detect signs of circulation, you must also administer chest compressions. Parents of children who have had an anaphylactic reaction should take a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course so that they feel more prepared in these rare situations.
