Over the years there has been an increase in the number of people who suffer from allergies. Allergies can develop as a person ages, and often there is no testing for allergies until a person suffers their first serious reaction, and, unfortunately for some, that one event can change or even end their life. In the US, about one-in-three people have an allergy. This accounts for over eighty million people, and nearly one-in-twenty suffers a serious reaction to their allergen. This reaction is called anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is an overreaction of a person’s immune system to a perceived threat. It is sudden, systemic, and can be serious. If fact, an anaphylactic reaction can be fatal in as little as fifteen minutes, or it can last for hours. Some common causes of anaphylaxis are foods (such as milk, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, sesame, fish, shellfish, and eggs), bites and stings (such as from bees and ticks), latex, vaccines, pet dander, and medications. These allergens can begin an anaphylactic reaction though skin contact (poison ivy and latex), injection (bee sting or vaccines), ingestion (foods and medications), and inhalation (pollen and animal dander). To a person with a known serious allergy, the world is a scarry place where potential death could be as simple as an insect flying by, in the air they breathe, or even in their next meal.
Epinephrine is the only known way to stop anaphylaxis. It constricts dilated blood vessels, increases the pulse, raises blood pressure, and can reduce swelling. Sometimes multiple doses of “epi” are needed, and if the administration of epi is necessary, a person should seek professional medical help immediately.
We at Hannah Helps are doing our best to spread awareness of these serious allergic reactions in three primary ways: 1. Sharing Hannah’s Story: Her peanut allergy became the catalyst for everything that has taken place since she took that one tragic bite of a gluten free brownie.
2. Advocacy: We spread awareness of allergy related information through personal interactions, public speaking, and social media. We can work with communities, schools, businesses, and other institutions with their education and preparedness for allergies and anaphylactic events.
3. Educating and Training: In partnership with the Dillon Mueller Memorial Fund and using the State of Wisconsin recognized “Do It For Dillon” anaphylaxis training program, we are able not just to educate people, but also to train them to be able to proactively recognize and treat anaphylaxis until professional help arrives. Anaphylaxis creates a situation in which time is of the essence, and the sooner epinephrine is administered, the more likely it will be that the patient makes a complete recovery.
