If you’re wondering if you can perform CPR on someone in anaphylaxis, we’ll outline what you need to know here. Anaphylaxis is defined as an extreme allergic reaction followed by various high-risk symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, low pulse, nausea, and vomiting.
It can be fatal in many instances, especially in cases where the individual has asthma or cardiovascular morbidity. While injecting epinephrine can calm down the flare-up, the person may also stop breathing or lose their pulse, which is when CPR is required.
Below, we examine the state of anaphylaxis more in-depth, what causes it, and how to treat it by using what you learned at a CPR course.
What Is Anaphylaxis and How Can CPR Be Performed?
Anaphylaxis is a severe anaphylactoid reaction that may have fatal consequences if not treated right away. Anaphylaxis can occur in just a matter of minutes after an individual is exposed to something they are allergic to.
As a result of anaphylaxis, the immune system releases a flood of chemicals that can contribute to a state of shock, causing a sudden blood pressure plunge. This is often followed by a narrowing in the airway, which causes disruption of breathing.
This can lead to respiratory distress and limit circulation, which can result in cardiac arrest.
If the victim doesn’t receive treatment immediately or is not transferred to a hospital where the appropriate medical intervention may be carried out, the consequences can be fatal.
Anaphylaxis Symptoms
According to studies, hypotension may often be the only sign pointing toward anaphylaxis. However, because it is a non-cutaneous symptom, it can be difficult to recognize and prolong the diagnosis. This is why immediate intervention is critical – keeping the system’s reaction under control can protect the victim from anaphylactic shock.
What type of symptoms and when they occur might differ from one person to another. Usually, symptoms manifest in no more than a few minutes; however, sometimes, they can occur after half an hour or more. Though rarely, symptoms might be delayed and appear after a few hours.
Some common symptoms include:
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Skin irritations or flushed or pale skin
- Swollen throat or tongue
- Either a weak or rapid pulse
- Dizziness or fainting
- Vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
What Causes Anaphylaxis?
To defend the body from foreign substances, the immune system produces antibodies. This is very beneficial in protecting the body from bacteria and viruses. However, it also happens that your immune system overreacts to substances that don’t cause an allergic reaction.
Allergy symptoms are usually not life-or-death, but a severe reaction can lead to anaphylaxis.
In children, food allergies are most common, and these may include fish, shellfish, milk, peanuts, and tree nuts. The most common causes in adults include:
- Stings from wasps, bees, hornets, and fire ants
- Medications such as antibiotics and pain relievers
- Latex
- Exercise.
If a person cannot identify what triggers the anaphylaxis attack, there are tests that can identify the allergens. When the allergens cannot be identified, we refer to the condition as idiopathic anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis Treatment
During anaphylaxis, a person can enter cardiac arrest and might need to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The medications commonly used as anaphylaxis treatment include:
- Epinephrine (adrenaline) to treat the body’s reaction
- Oxygen to support breathing
- Albuterol or another beta-agonist to aid breathing
- Intravenous (IV) antihistamines and cortisone to reduce swelling and inflammation and aid airflow.
CPR for Anaphylaxis
If a person’s breathing or heart stops, CPR should be administered immediately.
It is preferable that CPR be performed by qualified individuals. However, it is best to have a bystander give CPR while waiting for the paramedics to increase the chances of survival.
Taking a course to receive a CPR certification and credentials will equip you with the necessary skills such as administering chest compressions, rescue breathing, and operating AED, which can help save a person’s life.
Because the cases where CPR is required are very rare, treatment can also be administered in other ways.
Using an Autoinjector
Unfortunately, there hasn’t yet been found a cure for anaphylaxis, which is why people with severe reactions are prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors which they are advised to always carry with them.
The autoinjector device can store a single dose and prevent the allergic reaction from becoming life-threatening. In order to help a person experiencing anaphylaxis, you need to know how to use one.
There are three different types of auto-injectors:
- Emerade
- EpiPen
- Jext.
How to Administer an Auto-injector
Advanced medical training is not required for using an auto-injector. The procedure is quite simple and easy to execute:
- First, take off the safety cap from the auto-injector.
- Press the orange tip against the outer thigh and hold it until you hear a click.
- This should take around 10 seconds, then take out the pen and massage the area for another 10 seconds.
- To get a better understanding about operating an autoinjector, you can attend an online Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto-Injector class offered by the American Red Cross.
Note: Due to the recent rise in the price of EpiPens, many people have turned to Adrenaclick. Aside from the difference in price, the main difference between the two is that Adenaclick comes with two caps instead of one.
Hospital Treatment for Anaphylaxis
Although responding timely will ease the symptoms and help retrieve a person’s consciousness, symptoms might reappear during the following 6 to 12 hours. This is why it is a good idea to contact an emergency response team or drive the victim to the hospital.
While in the hospital, the patient may need some of the follow-up treatments below:
- Fluids can be administered intravenously to regulate blood pressure.
- Additional medication, such as corticosteroids and antihistamines, can be used to relieve symptoms.
Patients are often prescribed antihistamines and steroids for a few days after leaving the hospital to prevent symptoms from returning.
Anaphylaxis Prevention
One way to prevent severe allergic reactions is to stay away from substances that trigger it.
Other ways to stop the situation from going out of control and increase chances of survival is to dedicate some time to prevention measures such as:
- Wearing a medical bracelet or necklace to indicate that you have an allergy to certain drugs or substances.
- Prepare an emergency kit with the needed medication and ensure you have it nearby, especially when traveling.
- If your allergies are purely food-related, make label checking a regular practice. Recheck the labels on foods that you commonly eat, as manufacturing practices may change unannounced.
- Even small amounts of food can cause a severe allergic reaction. When eating out, carefully inspect the menu before ordering and ask a waiter about the dish ingredients.
Taking matters of precaution is helpful; however, at some point, a person you know may be exposed to a substance they are allergic to. A recent study in the National Library of Medicine states that the best way to manage anaphylaxis is early epinephrine administration.
Nonetheless, having someone well-acquainted with anaphylaxis emergency response will ensure that the situation doesn’t escalate and the appropriate steps are taken in progression.
Understanding If You Can You Perform CPR on Someone in Anaphylaxis
Can you perform CPR on someone in anaphylaxis? As a result of respiratory distress, a victim may easily fall into cardiac arrest and require immediate CPR. As this is an adverse reaction and may escalate in just a few minutes, being able to react and administer the skill you have from your CPR certification or use an auto-injector is of immense value.
A person who experiences anaphylaxis should be taken to the hospital, where the medical team will evaluate their condition and take the necessary measures.