Discharge Instructions for Anaphylactic Shock (Child)

Your child has been diagnosed with anaphylactic shock. This is a serious kind of allergic reaction. It can happen within minutes of exposure to a substance or a trigger that causes an allergic reaction. Common causes of anaphylaxis in children are:

Pollen (grass, weeds)
Latex
High-intensity physical activity
Penicillin
Nuts and peanuts
Shellfish
Milk
Eggs
Stings from a yellow jacket or bee
IV (intravenous) contrast given during a CT scan

Contact with the substance through the skin or by eating it can cause a severe allergic reaction. Your child may have trouble breathing or talking. Your child may feel dizzy or faint, or vomit. They may have stomach pain, coughing, or wheezing. Your child may have swelling of the lips and tongue, or a red rash on the body (hives).

The reaction causes a drop in blood pressure. This can be very rapid. Because there is less blood flow from the drop in blood pressure, less oxygen reaches the brain and other organs. Your child then goes into shock. If it is not treated right away, anaphylactic shock can be fatal. Here’s what you need to know to protect your child.

Preventing an attack

You can help prevent an attack with these tips:

Know your child’s allergies or triggers. Make sure your child stays away from them. Anaphylactic shock can lead to death.
Tell your child’s healthcare provider, dentist, and pharmacist about any allergies your child has to foods and medicines.
Ask your child's healthcare provider if your child should see an allergist. This is a healthcare provider who focuses on treating allergies. Also ask if allergy shots (immunotherapy) will help your child.
When eating at restaurants, tell restaurant staff workers about your child’s food allergies before ordering your child's food. If your child has a food allergy, ask about ingredients and possible cross contamination of foods.
Know which foods and medicines may cause a cross-reaction. Read the food and drug labels and their manufacturer information with care.

Using epinephrine auto-injectors

Ask your child’s healthcare provider to prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector for your child. This is a single-dose injection kit of epinephrine (adrenaline). With the auto-injector, you can give your child a shot of medicine to help stop the allergic reaction until medical help gets there. You should have 2 doses with your child at all times. Make an anaphylaxis action plan with your child's healthcare provider or allergist.
Learn how to give your child a shot. If it makes you uncomfortable, remind yourself that you are saving your child’s life. Ask your child's healthcare team to show you how to use the epinephrine auto-injector.
If your child is old enough, teach them to use the epinephrine auto-injector.
Make sure you check the expiration date of the epinephrine auto-injector.
Keep more than one epinephrine auto-injector on hand. Carry one kit with you. Keep one at your child’s school or daycare center. Keep one at home where it’s easy to find.
Make sure your child's healthcare provider gives you instructions on how to train others to use the auto-injector or medicine. Give them to your child's school, daycare center, or babysitter.

Warning others

Have your child wear a medical ID bracelet. It should list your child's allergy and tell others what to do in an emergency. Ask your child's healthcare provider how to get one.
Tell your family, friends, and others what they should do if your child has a severe allergic reaction and you aren’t there:
- Show them how to use the epinephrine auto-injector.
- Tell them to call 911 and to give your child a shot of epinephrine if they think your child is having a reaction.
- Ask them to start CPR if your child stops breathing.
- Tell them to make sure your child lies down with legs raised during the reaction.
- Tell them to wash their hands and clean surfaces and utensils when preparing food.