The first five posts within this thread were copied from our old forum. http://allergy.hyperboards.com/action/view_topic/topic_id/17634 Posted: Dec 29th, 2010 at 05:42 pm In another topic I started, a discussion arose about managing a child with both asthma and anaphylaxis. I agree with the suggestion that the topic be given its own thread because of its importance, so I'm copying my comments in this new thread:
GLADLY will I explain the use of epi pens for asthma.
To hopefully give credence to my explanation, I will mention that my DD saw the Division Head of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. I told her allergist that I was concerned that I had read of multiple instances where a child seemed to be having an asthma attack, was given an inhaler, but died because the child was really having an anaphylactic reaction and by time that was recognized the epi pen was either given too late or the child was dead. I asked her how I could distinguish between an asthma attack and anaphylaxis.
She explained that it is virtually impossible to distinguish between an asthma attack and anaphylaxis. She said if my DD had ingested any food within the last two hours, to regard an asthma attack as an anaphylactic reaction and give her an epi pen. She said that epinephrine used to be a common treatment for asthma attacks, so if she was having an asthma attack the epi pen would help her. And if she was actually having an anaphylactic reaction, the epi pen, of course, likely would save her life. (I generally don't put a lot of weight on the "two hour" qualifier because my DD has had numerous reactions to minute quantities of her allergens. I theorize that especially when she is at school or other high-risk areas, she could just as easily be having a reaction because she touched a doorknob with remnants of her allergens and then touched her mouth.)
She also explained that children with asthma, even if mild and/or well-controlled, have a higher-risk of dying from an anaphylactic reaction. (The other factor that predicts a fatal reaction is a prior anaphylaxis. My DD has both.)
I had her write that asthma should be treated as anaphylaxis into the action plans. I wish this was highlighted more. I think it would save many lives because when a child has an asthma attack, I think the natural response is to grab an inhaler. But with asthma attacks and anaphylaxis being indistinguishable, that understandable confusion could unnecessarily cost lives, especially when an epi pen would alleviate both anaphylaxis and asthma.
I don't even leave my Dd's albuterol for people who watch my child.
I tell them that if my DD is having an asthma attack they simply need to give her an epi pen and call 911.
HTH
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Posted: Dec 29th, 2010 at 06:08 pm Thank you so much for posting that. That could save someones life.
I never knew any of that.
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Posted: Dec 29th, 2010 at 06:11 pm ...yes...so true Thanks for posting this.
my dd has an inhaler at school also, BUT the nurse told me if she had eaten food she was gonna epi her....because the epi- works for both.
better safe than sorry......
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Posted: Dec 29th, 2010 at 07:37 pm We need to link the story: When Anaphylaxis Looks Like Asthma