Dr. Stella Yiu Emergency Physician, TOH Anaphylaxis Dr. Stella Yiu Emergency Physician, TOH
LMCC Objectives History and Physical of allergic reaction pts Determine urticaria with systemic diseases Investigations to identify allergens Manage urticaria and anaphylaxis in ED
1. History and Physical
CDMQ: What can cause allergic reactions? (5 categories)
Urticaria: triggers Photo credit: ambert, cwulmer, Norm & Debra, FlickR creative commons
Drugs Food allergens Insects Physical stressors (cold, exercise) Respiratory allergy (Pollen)
What systems are involved?
Blood vessels Photo credit: kiwinky, Flickr commons
Lungs
GI tract
Soft tissues © anaphylaxisweb
50% has angioedema (lips/face/upper airway)
If airway/tongue -> potential airway obstruction
Investigations for allergic reaction/anaphylaxis No Labs Maybe skin testing later
2. Acute/chronic + systemic illness
Urticaria Photo credit: kiwinky, Flickr commons
Systemic illness -> urticaria Serum sickness Transfusion reactions Viral/bacterial infections Vasculitis
Systemic illness: serum sickness Photo credit: mrmason.ca
Systemic illness: serum sickness Fever, rash, arthralgia Photo credit: mrmason.ca
Systemic illness: transfusion reactions
Systemic illness: transfusion reactions
Systemic illness: transfusion reactions
Systemic urticaria: Viral/Bacterial infection Photo credit: Dermatolog Information System
Systemic urticaria: Vasculitis Associated with SLE, Sjogren, Leukemia Drugs Systemic unwell: Arthralgia, fever, abdo pain, lymphadenopathy Photo credit: Dermatology image atlas
Definition of anaphylaxis
MCQ 5: Who does not have anaphylaxis? Ate peanut butter. Swollen lips and wheezing. VS normal. Shrimp fest at Red Lobsters. Vomiting and tight throat. Stung by bee. Low BP. Flu shot. Hives. VS normal. Hay fever, swollen throat, low BP.
Anaphylaxis Definition > 2 systems: CVS (BP), airway, GI, skin Skin + airway/BP BP
3. Manage anaphylaxis
CDMQ: Management steps of patient with anaphylaxis (8)
Airway (2): Epinephrine im Intubate if needed (what indications)
Breathing (1): Oxygen B2 agonist (Ventolin)
Bronchodilators Epinephrine
Circulation (2) Iv fluids if hypotensive Iv epinephrine if no better
Fluids
Drugs (3) Antihistamines (H1- Benadryl, H2- Ranitidine) Steroids
Antihistamines H1: Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) H2: Ranitidine
Fluids, Symptomatic
Discharge instructions Allergy testing outpatient Carry Epi-Pen at all times Photo credit: gregfriese, flickr creative commons
Discharge meds Steroid - 2nd phase reaction (6-72 hours) - Prednisone po or solumedrol iv Continue Antihistamines
LMCC Objectives History and Physical of allergic reaction pts Determine urticaria with systemic diseases Investigations to identify allergens Manage urticaria and anaphylaxis in ED