title: Emergency treatment of anaphylactic reactions--guidelines for healthcare providers.
abstract: *The UK incidence of anaphylactic reactions is increasing. *Patients who have an anaphylactic reaction have life-threatening airway and, or breathing and, or circulation problems usually associated with skin or mucosal changes. *Patients having an anaphylactic reaction should be treated using the Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE) approach. *Anaphylactic reactions are not easy to study with randomised controlled trials. There are, however, systematic reviews of the available evidence and a wealth of clinical experience to help formulate guidelines. *The exact treatment will depend on the patient's location, the equipment and drugs available, and the skills of those treating the anaphylactic reaction. *Early treatment with intramuscular adrenaline is the treatment of choice for patients having an anaphylactic reaction. *Despite previous guidelines, there is still confusion about the indications, dose and route of adrenaline. *Intravenous adrenaline must only be used in certain specialist settings and only by those skilled and experienced in its use. *All those who are suspected of having had an anaphylactic reaction should be referred to a specialist in allergy. *Individuals who are at high risk of an anaphylactic reaction should carry an adrenaline auto-injector and receive training and support in its use. *There is a need for further research about the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of anaphylactic reactions.
authors: Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK. Jasmeet.soar@nbt.nhs.uk
authors: Jasmeet
authors: J
authors: Soar
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Pumphrey
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Cant
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Clarke
authors: Allison
authors: A
authors: Corbett
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Dawson
authors: Pamela
authors: P
authors: Ewan
authors: Bernard
authors: B
authors: Foëx
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Gabbott
authors: Matt
authors: M
authors: Griffiths
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Hall
authors: Nigel
authors: N
authors: Harper
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: Jewkes
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Maconochie
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Mitchell
authors: Shuaib
authors: S
authors: Nasser
authors: Jerry
authors: J
authors: Nolan
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Rylance
authors: Aziz
authors: A
authors: Sheikh
authors: David Joseph
authors: DJ
authors: Unsworth
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Warrell
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000592:standards*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D013566:Sympathomimetics; D004837:Epinephrine