Discharge Instructions for Anaphylactic Shock (Pediatric)

Your child has been diagnosed with a serious kind of allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. This can happen within minutes of exposure to a substance that causes an allergy. Examples of common causes of anaphylaxis in children include penicillin, nuts, peanuts, shellfish, milk, eggs, yellow jacket or bee sting, or IV (intravenous) contrast given during a CT scan. Contact with the substance through the skin or by eating it causes a severe allergic reaction. Your child may have trouble breathing or talking. Your child may feel dizzy or faint, or vomit. He or she may have stomach pain, coughing, or wheezing. Your child may have swelling of the lips and tongue, or hives (red rash on the body).

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

Preventing an attack

Recommendations include: 

• Be careful! Be aware of your child’s allergies and have him or her stay away from them. Remember: 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 allergy shots (immunotherapy) will help your child. If so, your child will be referred to an allergist. This is a healthcare provider who focuses on treating allergies.

• 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

Recommendations include: 

• 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 epinephrine auto injector, you can give your child a shot of medicine to help stop the allergic reaction until medical help arrives. It is important to 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.

• If your child is old enough, teach him or her 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 identification bracelet that describes the allergy and tells 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 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.

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment.

© 2000-2019 The StayWell Company, LLC. 800 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. This information has been modified by your health care provider with permission from the publisher.