Anaphylaxis is a sudden and severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical emergency measures. It can be fatal. Reactions usually occur within minutes of exposure to an offending substance but sometimes within a few hours. Specific symptoms will vary between individuals and even between attacks in the same person.

Vancouver school health manual - Section 15: Allergies and anaphylaxis

Commons signs that someone is having an anaphylactic reaction include: 

• Skin – hives, swelling, itching, warmth, redness or rash.

• Respiratory (breathing) – wheezing, shortness of breath, throat tightness, cough, hoarse voice, chest pain/tightness, nasal congestion, trouble swallowing or hay fever-like symptoms such as runny, itchy nose and watery eyes or sneezing.

•  Gastrointestinal (stomach) – nausea, pain/cramps, vomiting or diarrhea.
  

• Cardiovascular (heart) – pale/blue colour, weak pulse, passing out, feeling dizzy or lightheaded or shock.

• Other – anxiety, feeling of “impending doom”, headache or uterine cramps in females.  

Schools, parents and the school public health nurse all have a role to play in keeping children with severe allergies safe.  

School’s role

• Identify children with severe life threatening allergies and develop an emergency action plan for that child. 

• Promote “allergy aware” classrooms, activities and playgrounds.

• Ensure that all teachers and staff with supervisory responsibilities are aware of: 

• how to recognize signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis
  

• avoidance strategies

• what to do in case of an emergency

Nurse’s role

• Consult with schools and provide training for anaphylaxis management, treatment and auto-injector use. 
  

• Provide schools with resources for anaphylaxis education.

Parents’ role

• Notify the school every year about their child’s severe allergy and any changes in his or her condition.

• Work with the school tocomplete an emergency action plan for their child.

• Provide the child or school with at least one epinephrine auto-injector. It is recommended that parents provide two auto-injectors in case their child requires a second dose and to take on field trips.*

Allergies and anaphylaxis resources

Food Allergy Canada
Allergies at Schools
Avoidance strategies: The 3 A’s of preventing anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis emergency action plan