Remove the patient from contact with the allergen

BMJ 1995;311:1434 (25 November)

Letters

Remove the patient from contact with the allergen

EDITOR,--In his article on the treatment of acute anaphylaxisMalcolm Fisher omits one important point: that further contactwith the allergen should be prevented immediately. In the caseof stings or intramuscular injections a tourniquet should beapplied proximal to the site; bee stings should be removed,and any drugs being given intravenously at the time that anaphylaxisoccurred should be stopped. Food allergens should be removedfrom the mouth, and if the patient is still conscious the mouthmay be rinsed. Vomiting of recently ingested food can also beinduced by putting two fingers in the throat of patients whoare still alert and realise that they have swallowed somethingto which they are very allergic.

As with other allergic diseases, such as asthma and rhinitis,the efficacy of avoiding the relevant allergen should not beunderestimated.

Consultant physician in clinical immunology, allergy, and rhinologyRoyal National Throat, Nose . . . [Full text of this article]

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