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Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening, generalised or systemic hypersensitivity reaction which is likely when both of the following criteria are met:
+/- Skin and/or mucosal changes (flushing, urticaria, angioedema) can also occur, but are absent in a significant proportion of cases.
NICE guidelines available here
For guidelines describing the management of urticaria and angioedema in the absence of systemic features see guidance for spontaneous urticaria and angioedema
Anaphylaxis is characterised by one or more of:
Advise patients to avoid potential triggers identified in the history pending further investigations.
Prescribe 4 self-injectable adrenaline devices (should have two on the patient at all times, and two at school) with appropriate training to patients with:
All patients must have appropriate training in use of self-injectable adrenaline (links below to formulary choices) and provide a written and verbal emergency treatment plan for future anaphylactic reactions (see bsaci - Allergy Action plans for Children)
Video how to use Emerade adrenaline auto-injector
See Formulary section 3.4 Antihistamines, hyposensitisation, and allergic emergencies
e-Referral Service Selection
NICE Anaphylaxis: assessment and referral after emergency treatment
Resuscitation Council (UK) - Anaphylaxis
NICE Angio-oedema and anaphylaxis
This guideline has been signed off on behalf of NHS Devon.
Publication date: January 2017