Managing anaphylaxis in children

Reducing the risk of your child having a serious allergic reaction

Read our parent and carer guidance:

Reducing the risk of your child having a serious allergic reaction (pdf, 2022)

This includes:

• Get an accurate diagnosis and avoid the food your child is allergic to.
• Know the symptoms of anaphylaxis and respond immediately.
• If you suspect anaphylaxis, give adrenaline before you do anything else.
• Check your child has two adrenaline auto-injectors and that they are in date.
• If your child has asthma make sure it is well controlled.
• Ensure your child has an allergy action plan and that you understand it and share it with other carers.
• Communicate with anyone who helps you with childcare and make sure they know how to respond in an emergency.
• Make sure restaurants and takeaways understand your child’s allergy when ordering food.

Points to remember

1. Use adrenaline auto-injectors at the first sign of anaphylaxis, or if in doubt.
2. Give adrenaline in the upper thigh muscle (in the leg).
3. Call 999 and tell them you’re responding to anaphylaxis.
4. If things are not clearly improving within 5 minutes, give another dose using a second AAI.
5. Do not let your child stand up.
6. Some things can make your reaction worse: exercise, having a bath or shower, travel or drinking alcohol.
7. Get help, even if your child feels better.

Adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) training

There are currently three different brands of adrenaline auto-injectors available:

• EpiPen
• Jext
• Emerade

There are some important differences between them. Whichever brand you have, see the instructions and videos on the manufacturer’s website (links below). 

The most important thing is to carry 2 auto-injectors with you wherever your child goes. The instructions are printed on the side, but it is good to get familiar with the specific brand of autoinjector you have.

Your doctor should give you a written allergy plan - keep a copy with your autoinjectors. This tells you when and how to use your auto-injector, and when to get help. 

Sometimes pharmacies have a temporary stock problem - often you just need to try a different pharmacy (one using a different wholesaler). Avoid getting different brands of auto-injector, which will just cause confusion.

You should also order a free trainer pen to practice with (put a regular date in your calendar!) and to help teach anyone else who needs to know: grandparents or other relatives and friends who help look after your child.

All the brands offer a text reminder service for when your auto-injector reaches its expiry date, which is very useful.

Test yourself!

Choose the quiz on the CYANS site that applies to you. There are quizzes for young people to do themselves too.

See more information on allergy medicines at CYANS.

More information

Food allergy service provision in NHS Highland follows a collaborative approach, involving general practitioners (GPs), parents, GP practice nurses, paediatricians, pharmacists, teachers and school authorities.

• Allergy UK - supporting people living with allergy
• Children and Young People's Allergy Network Scotland (CYANS) - improving health service provision for children and young people with allergies in Scotland