Anaphylaxis Facts for Parents and Carers
ASCIA PC Anaphylaxis Facts Parents Carers 2024165.09 KB
What should a doctor or nurse practitioner provide if your child is at risk of anaphylaxis?
- Education about avoiding known allergens at home and outside the home
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be caused by foods (when eaten or in drinks), drugs (medicines), insects or ticks.
- ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis
This plan includes your child’s details, signs of allergic reactions and what to do if your child has an allergic reaction. It is completed and signed by your child’s doctor or nurse practitioner.
The plan also shows how to give adrenaline (epinephrine) injectors to treat anaphylaxis.
A copy of the plan should be stored with your child’s adrenaline injectors.
- Prescription for two adrenaline injector devices (EpiPen® or Anapen®)
These devices are available on prescription and rebated in Australia and New Zealand.
They should be replaced just before they expire, and the expiry date is on the device.
- Education on how to use adrenaline injector devices
You should also practise using a trainer version of the device prescribed for your child. Trainer devices do not have a needle or adrenaline, so they can be safely reused by family and friends.
What is the role of the parent or carer?
- Give the childcare service, preschool or school a copy of your child’s ASCIA Action Plan
This plan should be updated when new adrenaline injectors are prescribed or if allergies change. The plan can only be completed or updated by your child’s doctor or nurse practitioner.
- Adrenaline injector devices at childcare services, preschools or schools
One device should be available to the childcare, preschool or school when your child is there, including offsite activities. The devices need to be replaced just before they expire.
- Work with childcare, preschool or school to develop an individual anaphylaxis care plan
This plan helps staff to manage your child’s allergies at childcare, preschool or school.
- Teach your child to avoid what they are allergic to and why this is important
Remind your child that they need to tell staff or a friend as soon as they feel sick.
If your child is allergic to food, remind them not to share food or drinks.
What is the role of childcare, preschools and schools?
- Childcare, preschools and schools should be allergy aware and follow Best Practice Guidelines.
- Training of staff in prevention, recognition, and treatment of allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.
- Staff need to know where adrenaline injectors are kept, including students who carry their device.
© ASCIA 2024
Content updated March 2024
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Translations of this document will be available soon.