NEW legislation means schools can now buy automatic adrenaline injections to be used on pupils who are experiencing an allergic reaction.

From October 1 the Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2017 will allow all schools to buy adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) devices without a prescription, for emergency use in children who are at risk of anaphylaxis but their own device is not available or not working (e.g. because it is broken, or out-of-date).

Up to eight per cent of school pupils have a known allergy.

In the UK, 17 per cent of fatal allergic reactions in school-aged children happen while at school.

Under the new rules, schools may administer their “spare” adrenaline auto-injector (AAI), obtained, without prescription, for use in emergencies, if available, but only to a pupil at risk of anaphylaxis, where both medical authorisation and written parental consent for use of the spare AAI has been provided.

The school’s spare AAI can be administered to a pupil whose own prescribed AAI cannot be administered correctly without delay.

AAIs can be used through clothes and should be injected into the upper outer thigh in line with the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

What are the most common allergies?

  • Nuts;
  • Milk/dairy;
  • Eggs;
  • Fish;
  • Wheat;
  • Soya;
  • Insect stings;
  • Medication;
  • Latex.

What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction?

  • Swollen lips;
  • Hives or an itchy skin rash;
  • Abdominal pain;
  • Persistent cough;
  • Hoarse voice;
  • Difficulty swallowing;
  • Swollen tongue;
  • Difficulty breathing;
  • Becoming pale;
  • Sudden sleepiness or unconsciousness.

Official advice is to ALWAYS give an adrenaline autoinjector in someone with a known food allergy who has difficulty breathing.

Advice for teachers:

  • Try to ensure that a person suffering an allergic reaction remains as still as possible, and does not get up or rush around. Bring the AAI to the pupil, not the other way round.
  • When dialling 999, say that the person is suffering from anaphylaxis (“ANA-FIL-AX-IS”).
  • Give clear and precise directions to the emergency operator, including the postcode of your location.
  • If the pupil’s condition does not improve 5 to 10 minutes after the initial injection you should administer a second dose. If this is done, make a second call to the emergency services to confirm that an ambulance has been dispatched.
  • Send someone outside to direct the ambulance paramedics when they arrive. • Arrange to phone parents/carer.

• Tell the paramedics: – if the child is known to have an allergy; – what might have caused this reaction e.g. recent food; – the time the AAI was given.

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