Management and treatment

of students with anaphylaxis

Information for Education Queensland
employees
What is anaphylaxis?

the most severe and sudden form of allergic

reaction
occurs when there is exposure to an allergen
to which a person is sensitive
is potentially life threatening and should be
treated as a medical emergency
Most common allergens
for school-aged children
peanuts shell fish
tree nuts soy
egg insect stings and
cows milk bites
sesame latex
fish certain medications
Facts about peanut allergy

increasingly common particularly in children

seen in approximately 1 in 50 children and 1 in
200 adults
allergy most likely to cause anaphylaxis and
death
1/2000th of a single peanut can cause an
allergic reaction
Symptoms and signs of
anaphylaxis
difficulty and/or noisy breathing
swelling of the tongue
swelling or tightness in the throat
difficulty talking or hoarse voice
wheeze or persistent cough
dizzy/light headed
loss of consciousness and/or collapse
pale and floppy (young child)
Potentially life threatening

allergic reactions can produce such severe

swelling of the airways that suffocation and
death may occur within minutes
reactions to foods can occur through:
ingestion
skin or eye contact
inhalation of food particles
Symptoms and signs of a mild
to moderate allergic reaction
tingling of the mouth
hives, welts or body redness
swelling of the face, lips and eyes
vomiting, abdominal pain
Managing and treating
students with anaphylaxis
Action Plan for Anaphylaxis to be provided to
school by the parent/caregiver
must be signed by a medical practitioner
plan provides details on how manage an
allergic reaction and how to deal with a severe
allergic reaction including appropriate
emergency response
Action Plan for Anaphylaxis

www.allergyfacts.org.au/PDF/anaphylaxis_plan_(child)_au.pdf
Where do I find a students
Action Plan for Anaphylaxis?
copies of plans placed in appropriate locations
across the school to alert staff
copy of plan also stored with students
emergency medication (EpiPen)
Training for staff

range of staff must undergo training in use of

EpiPen or EpiPen Junior
how many staff depends on numbers of
students diagnosed, variety of activities
students engage in and level of associated risk
Administering EpiPen or
EpiPen Junior

Instructions from Action Plan for Anaphylaxis

www.allergyfacts.org.au/PDF/anaphylaxis_plan_(child)_au.pdf
EpiPen and EpiPen Junior

use of EpiPen will only buy time while waiting

for ambulance
fast acting but has short duration of effect
Emergency treatment
procedures
For students WITH an Action Plan for Anaphylaxis
follow emergency response on Action Plan
if plan indicates use of EpiPen, trained staff if possible
should administer, however ALL staff have a duty of care
call an ambulance ring 000
if unconscious commence CPR
contact parents/caregivers
maintain airway, breathing and circulation
maintain close observation
Emergency treatment
procedures
For students WITHOUT an Action Plan for
Anaphylaxis
call an ambulance
lay person flat and elevate legs if dizzy, confused
or if have reduced level of consciousness, unless
more difficult to breath
if unconscious commence CPR
Reducing the risk in the
school setting
although possible to minimise students
exposure to allergens, implementation of
blanket food bans or attempts to prohibit entry
not supported
schools must not make claims they are
peanut/tree nut free school
Strategies to minimise students
exposure to potential allergens

school
classroom
tuckshop
parents
Role of principal

inform school community about management and treatment of

anaphylaxis
obtain Action Plan for Anaphylaxis from parents
ensure EpiPen or other medication is stored properly and
securely but not locked in a cupboard or room
ensure staff know who carries own EpiPen and conditions of use
provide staff with a copy of guidelines and ensure they view
PowerPoint
ensure staff know about individual students severe allergy
range of staff undergone training in use of EpiPen
students at risk of anaphylaxis given every opportunity to
participate in a full range of school activities
Role of parent/caregiver

inform principal in writing that their child is at risk of anaphylaxis

notify in writing any advice from medical practitioner
provide school with Action Plan for Anaphylaxis
provide written notification for school to administer EpiPen or
assist a child to administer
provide the EpiPen to school
notify school if child is to carry own EpiPen and negotiate
conditions
ensure EpiPen is clearly labelled and not out of date
replace EpiPen when it expires or is used
Points to remember

Anaphylaxis is potentially life threatening

Action Plan for Anaphylaxis for each student
reduces the risk
Know the students in the school and know
what triggers their severe allergy
Know the emergency treatment procedures
Ask for help if unsure!
For more information

Education Queensland
www.education.qld.gov.au/schools/healthy
Queensland Health
www.health.qld.gov.au/
Anaphylaxis Australia Incorporated
www.allergyfacts.org.au
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology
and Allergy (ASCIA)
www.allergy.org.au