Serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and EpiPens

Anaphylaxis is a serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, most likely from foods, insect stings, medicines or latex. 

Not all children who have allergies are at risk of anaphylaxis. Signs and symptoms can include:

  • difficulty or noisy breathing
  • swelling or tightening of the tongue or throat
  • difficulty talking
  • wheezing or constant coughing
  • dizziness or loss of consciousness
  • pale skin.

If you think your child is having a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and is displaying any signs and symptoms, follow their first aid action plan. 

First aid for anaphylaxis

  1. Stay with the child
  2. Lay the child flat, not upright
  3. Locate and administer the EpiPen Adrenaline injector into the child’s thigh with the orange needle end - holding for 3 seconds
  4. Call Triple Zero (000)
  5. Further adrenaline may be given if no response after 5 minutes.

If a child is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR. See CPR for babies (under 12 months old) and CPR for children (over 12 months old) for more information. 

If in doubt, always treat the reaction as serious and administer an EpiPen®. It’s important to note that administering an EpiPen does not replace seeing a healthcare provider or going to the hospital. 

If your child has a severe allergic reaction for the first time, it is important that they speak to their doctor.

  • Your family doctor will likely set up a referral with an immunologist or allergy specialist
  • The specialist will help your child identify the triggers of anaphylaxis and provide further information on how to avoid these triggers in the future
  • You will be provided with an Anaphylaxis Action Plan and a prescription for an adrenaline injector (EpiPen® or Anapen).

What is in an EpiPen?

An EpiPen®, also called an adrenaline autoinjector, is an emergency device used to quickly inject a dose of adrenaline into a child’s leg muscle when they are having a severe allergic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis. 

Adrenaline is a hormone that is made by the body. It helps to reverse the symptoms of anaphylaxis very quickly by opening the airways, raising blood pressure, and reducing swelling.

See the EpiPen® factsheet for more information.