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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) and ask for an ambulance. The person having the reaction should not stand or walk. Administer an adrenaline (epinephrine) injector (such as EpiPen® or Anapen®) into muscle of the outer mid-thigh. Further doses of adrenaline may be given if there is no response after 5 minutes. Always give adrenaline first, then asthma reliever puffer if required.
  • Shellfish and fish allergies are more common in adults and adolescents than in younger children.
  • Symptoms vary and range from mild reactions to a life-threatening severe allergic reaction.
  • See your doctor or a clinical immunology/allergy specialist to confirm the diagnosis of food allergy. If you are at risk of a severe allergic reaction, they will prescribe an adrenaline injector which may be lifesaving in the case of a severe allergic reaction. They should also give you an Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Action Plan for Anaphylaxis for the brand of injector prescribed.
  • An ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions is a good guide for people with allergies who do not have a prescribed adrenaline injector.
  • The best way to manage a shellfish or fish allergy is to avoid the food to which you are allergic.

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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: 16-05-2022