Lucknow Academy of Pediatrics Raises Awareness on Life-Threatening Anaphylaxis
Lucknow: The Lucknow Academy of Pediatrics (LAP) has launched a citywide awareness campaign to educate the public and healthcare providers about the dangers of anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction requiring immediate medical intervention.
Addressing a seminar, LAP President Dr. Shalini Bhasin emphasized that anaphylaxis can turn life-threatening within minutes and that the primary, life-saving treatment is an epinephrine (adrenaline) injection. “Delay in administering epinephrine can cost lives,” she cautioned.
LAP Secretary Dr. Utkarsh Bansal explained that anaphylaxis occurs when the immune system overreacts to an allergen, releasing chemicals such as histamine. Symptoms may include swelling of the throat, lips, and tongue; red rashes and hives; intense itching; breathing difficulty; wheezing; chest tightness; abdominal pain; vomiting; diarrhea; dizziness; fainting; and a sudden drop in blood pressure. These symptoms typically appear within minutes of exposure to triggers such as certain foods, insect stings, or medications. In children, food allergies are the most common cause, while in adults, medications and insect stings are frequent triggers.
The Academy outlined key first-aid steps in suspected cases: immediately laying the patient flat, slightly elevating the legs to maintain blood flow to the heart, administering oxygen, promptly giving an intramuscular epinephrine injection in the outer mid-thigh, and rushing the patient to the nearest hospital.
Experts stressed that epinephrine should be readily available not only in hospitals but also in community settings. Individuals with a history of severe allergies must carry epinephrine and receive proper training in its administration. Dr. Ashish Verma noted that auto-injectors are currently not widely available in India, making training in correct injection technique essential.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative by a pediatric association in the country, LAP has distributed anaphylaxis emergency kits to pediatric specialists and hospitals across the region, aiming to strengthen emergency preparedness and empower healthcare professionals to respond swiftly to allergic emergencies.
