Recognising a serious allergic reaction — Health, 11–13 years
An allergy is an immune reaction to something that is usually harmless, such as a food or sting. The key health skill is spotting when symptoms are becoming an emergency and getting help quickly.
When the body overreacts
In an allergy, the immune system treats a normally harmless substance as a threat. It may cause itching, hives, swelling, coughing, vomiting or breathing trouble. A mild symptom is not the same as a severe reaction, so the pattern and speed of change matter.
Why speed matters
A serious reaction can affect breathing or cause a person to become faint very quickly. The problem is that waiting to see whether it passes can waste valuable time. That is why the safe response is to alert an adult and contact emergency services when severe signs appear.
A reaction after eating
Leo eats a biscuit and soon develops hives, swelling of his lips and difficulty breathing. First, his friend calls an adult and says clearly what is happening. The adult contacts emergency services and follows Leo’s personal allergy plan if he has one. They do not leave him alone or ask him to walk around.
“It is only a rash”
People may focus on the most visible sign, such as a rash, because it is easy to see. That is a reasonable first impression, but a dangerous reaction may also involve breathing, voice, dizziness or swelling. Look at the whole person and get help if serious signs appear.
At school, home or outdoors
Allergic reactions can happen after food, an insect sting or contact with a substance. If you have an allergy, make sure trusted adults know your plan and where your prescribed emergency treatment is kept. If someone has severe signs, do not guess the cause: get help immediately.
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