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betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
  • If you, or someone in your care, have a severe allergic reaction, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. The person having the reaction should not stand or walk. Administer an adrenaline (epinephrine) injector (such as EpiPen® or Anapen®) into the outer mid-thigh. Further doses of adrenaline may be given if there is no response after 5 minutes. Give adrenaline first, then asthma reliever puffer, if required.
  • Peanuts and nuts that grow on trees are among the most common foods to cause a life-threatening severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
  • Visit your doctor or a clinical immunology/allergy specialist to discover what is causing your allergy.
  • If you are at risk of anaphylaxis, you will be prescribed an adrenaline injector which may be lifesaving.
  • Your doctor will give you an Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Action Plan for Anaphylaxis for the brand of adrenaline injector prescribed.
  • An ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions is a guide for people with allergies who do not have a prescribed adrenaline injector.
  • The best way to manage a peanut, tree nut and seed allergy is to avoid all products containing these foods.
  • Learn to read food labels so you can avoid foods that cause allergic reactions.

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Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Reviewed on: 06-04-2022