Paediatric anaphylaxis: what to know

Anaphylaxis can affect breathing, circulation, skin, and the digestive system. A child may develop wheezing, throat or tongue swelling, hoarse voice, trouble breathing, sudden paleness, collapse, widespread hives, vomiting, or severe abdominal pain. It can occur after food, medicine, an insect sting, or another trigger. Skin changes may be absent, so a child with breathing or circulation symptoms still needs emergency action.

Food allergy is one possible trigger, but the cause may not be known at first. The reaction can worsen quickly, and an antihistamine is not a substitute for emergency treatment when breathing or circulation is affected.

Use the child’s prescribed adrenaline auto-injector immediately if anaphylaxis is suspected, following the device instructions, then call emergency services. Keep the child lying down with legs raised if tolerated; allow a child with breathing difficulty to sit, but do not let them stand or walk. If symptoms continue and another injector is available, follow the emergency plan. Stay with the child and give responders the suspected trigger and treatment details.

Treat suspected anaphylaxis as an emergency, even if the child seems better after adrenaline. Emergency assessment is needed because symptoms can return and further treatment or observation may be required. Call urgently for noisy breathing, wheezing, swelling of the mouth or throat, faintness, unusual drowsiness, or sudden collapse.

Ask how to recognise this child’s warning signs, when and how to use each injector, whether two devices should be carried, which triggers to avoid, and whether allergy testing or an updated written plan is needed.