Allergic Reaction
What is an allergy?
An allergy is when the body has a reaction to a trigger. Allergic reactions usually happen within a few minutes of contact but can happen a few hours later.
Most allergic reactions are mild, but more severe reactions can occur. Sometimes mild reactions can develop quickly into a more severe reaction.
Sometimes children can have a rash that looks like an allergic reaction but it is caused by a viral infection. If you are worried please look at the rash page.
Common triggers for allergy are:
- Foods such as nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs and some fruits
- Medicines
- Bee stings
- Wasp stings
- Latex (a type of rubber found in some rubber gloves)
The most severe reaction is called anaphylaxis (ana-fill-axis) and can be life threatening. The signs of this are in the red box below. Ring 999 immediately for help if your child is having a severe reaction.
Please see Red-Amber-Green tables for advice on when and where to seek care for your child.
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- Feeling of tightness in the chest or throat
- Swelling of the mouth, face, tongue or lips
- Breathing fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink
- Harsh noise as they breathe in (stridor)
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)
- Breathing that stops or pauses
- Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
- Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
- Has a fit (seizure)
- Has a rash that does not go away with pressure (the glass test)
You need urgent help.
Call 999 and say that your child is having anaphylaxis (ana-fill-axis).
If you have an allergy action plan - please follow it and give your emergency medication.
If your child has any of the following:
- Itchy skin or a raised rash (hives)
- Tingling of mouth
- Dry skin, lips or tongue
- Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
- They are having allergic reactions frequently or you are not sure what they are allergic to
- Getting worse and I am still worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please contact your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111.
Please give your child antihistamine medicine if possible.
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
If none of the above features are present
- Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
- If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111.
This advice is the same for children with anaphylaxis.
Self care and Prevention
What can I do?
If you are worried that your child is having a severe allergic reaction, you need to call 999 for an ambulance immediately and state anaphylaxis (ana-fill-axis).
- If your child has an adrenaline autoinjector (Epi-pen) use it immediately
- Here are videos for how to use an Epipen or a Jext autoinjector
- Remove the trigger which caused the reaction if you can
- Sit them up if they are having difficulty breathing
- Do not stand them up or move them
- You can give a second dose of adrenaline (Epi-pen) after 5 minutes
If you have had to use your child’s autoinjector (Epi-pen) then they should always go to hospital for further observation.
If your child is having a mild to moderate allergic reaction, give them an antihistamine medicine such as Chlorphenamine, Cetirizine or Loratidine to help with the symptoms.
If your child has had an allergic reaction you should avoid the trigger whenever possible.
Further information
Allergy UK has information on anaphylaxis.
Beat Anaphylaxis has information for children, young people, families and professionals.
Itchy Sneezy Wheezy has a series of videos on food allergy, anaphylaxis and how to use an epipen.
Video Showcase
