Our Student Ambassadors will be holding a few events next week to help raise awareness and improve our understanding of allergies. Keep an eye out for the Kahoot quiz time and supporting activities that will be on offer for our students!

 The following information has been provided from  http://www.allergy.org.nz/

WHAT IS AN ALLERGY? An allergy is an immune system reaction in response to a substance the body (mistakenly) believes is harmful. 

WHAT CAN CAUSE AN ALLERGIC REACTION? 

Airborne allergens: dust mites, pollen, mould spores, cat and dog dander. Skin contact or inhalation of airborne allergens can cause a skin rash, swelling of the eyes, hay fever and wheeze. Airborne allergens are not often a trigger for anaphylaxis. Food allergens: any type of food can trigger an allergic reaction. However the majority of food allergic reactions are triggered by eight foods: eggs, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. Medication, including natural and herbal products, may trigger an allergic reaction. Antibiotics (commonly penicillin) are the most commonly reported trigger. Medications may trigger an allergic reaction at any age. Insect venom is an injected allergen from stinging insects, such as bees and wasps. The venom from each of these insects is different and being allergic to one does not mean being allergic to others. Because the venom from the sting punctures the skin, anaphylaxis (severe reaction) can occur rapidly. Allergic reactions to food, insect venom or medication may be more severe in children who have asthma compared with children who do not have asthma. 

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION? 

Mild to moderate allergic reaction: • Swelling of lips, face, eyes • hives or welts • tingling mouth • abdominal pain*, vomiting * A person may have one, some, or all of these symptoms during an allergic reaction. * Abdominal pain or vomiting are signs of a mild to moderate reaction to food allergens but are signs of anaphylaxis with insect allergy. Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) which can be life-threatening: • Difficult/noisy breathing • swelling of tongue • swelling/tightness in throat • difficulty talking and/ or hoarse voice • wheeze or persistent cough • loss of consciousness and/or collapse • pale and floppy (young children). Anyone or more of these symptoms is a sign of anaphylaxis. 

*Some individuals (10-20 percent) present with severe symptoms and experience anaphylaxis without developing mild or moderate symptoms first, e.g. there may be no noticeable hives/swelling.

Children diagnosed with food allergies and/or risk of anaphylaxis (the severest form of an allergic reaction, which is life-threatening) should have an ASCIA Allergy or Anaphylaxis Action Plan. These set out what to do in case of a reaction.