A new ASCIA Fast Facts about adrenaline injectors is now available on the ASCIA website, following review by the ASCIA Anaphylaxis committee, as well as a new one page ‘How to give adrenaline injectors’ guide:

• Adrenaline Injectors Fast Facts New March 2022

In response to recent feedback, questions 11 and 12 in the ASCIA Action Plans FAQ have been reworded slightly to make the information clearer, with the main updates highlighted in blue below.

• ASCIA Action Plan FAQs Updated April 2022

Q 11: Who should have a green ASCIA Action Plan?

• The green ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions has been developed for children or adults with a confirmed allergy to foods or insects, who have not been prescribed an adrenaline injector, as they are considered to be at low risk of anaphylaxis.
• The dark green ASCIA Action Plan for drug (medication) allergy has been developed for children or adults with a confirmed allergy to drugs (medications). Adrenaline injectors are not usually prescribed for people with a drug allergy.
• Allergies to foods, insects or drugs have the potential to result in anaphylaxis, and the green ASCIA Action Plans provide guidance on how to manage anaphylaxis if it occurs. 

Q 12: Should a person with allergic rhinitis (hay fever) have an ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions completed by their doctor or nurse practitioner?

No. ASCIA Action Plans are not required for people with allergy to environmental inhalant allergens such as grass pollen, dust mite, or mould, resulting in allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Whilst allergic rhinitis can cause uncomfortable symptoms, they are not potentially life-threatening allergic reactions and hence an ASCIA Action Plan is not required. However, if the allergic rhinitis affects an individual's asthma, their Asthma Action Plan should be followed. People with allergic rhinitis can be given an ASCIA Treatment Plan for Allergic Rhinitis for personal/home use.

The ASCIA Treatment Plan for Allergic Rhinitis is completed by a doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist, and is meant for the person or the parent, not for schools. Most schools do not play a role in the treatment and management of allergic rhinitis. However, when medication administration is required at school, parents should liaise with the school.

We hope that this new and updated information is useful.

This news item was issued on 4 April 2022 by Jill Smith, CEO of ASCIA, the peak professional body for clinical immunology and allergy in Australia and New Zealand.