{"id":7384,"date":"2024-04-15T19:58:06","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T18:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asmgroup.ie\/?p=7384"},"modified":"2024-04-15T19:58:06","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T18:58:06","slug":"first-aid-for-allergic-reactions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.asmgroup.ie\/first-aid-for-allergic-reactions\/","title":{"rendered":"First Aid for Allergic Reactions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Becoming a workplace First Aider is a great asset to your skillset and enables you to play a vital role in protecting the wellbeing of your colleagues and members of the public as you work. You may experience some challenging situations as a First Aider, and allergic reactions can be especially difficult to manage.<\/p>\n

There are many causes of allergic reactions, so it is not always easy to know how to treat a reaction when it occurs. Allergies are very common, however, so it is important to know how to manage them as part of your role as a First Aider at work.<\/p>\n

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What is an allergic reaction?<\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>An allergic reaction occurs when the body recognises an allergen or foreign substance as potentially harmful and produces an immune response. Immune responses vary from producing histamine, causing symptoms such as a runny nose and itchy eyes, to a full anaphylactic reaction, which could lead to organ failure and death if untreated. Anaphylaxis should be treated as an emergency, and you should seek urgent medical assistance even if symptoms seem to be easing as a second phase is common.<\/p>\n

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Severe allergic reactions<\/h2>\n

It can be very distressing to witness a severe allergic reaction, and immediate action must be taken to save life. You should call 999 or 112 immediately and ask for urgent medical support if the person you are treating has had severe allergic reactions in the past or if you witness any of the following:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n