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ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis Pictorial

pdfASCIA First Aid Plan Anaphylaxis Pictorial A3 Poster 2025

Anaphylaxis is the most severe type of allergic reaction and should always be treated as a medical emergency. Anaphylaxis requires immediate treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine). If treatment with adrenaline is delayed, this can result in fatal anaphylaxis.

MILD TO MODERATE ALLERGIC REACTIONS

SIGNS
Swelling of lips, face, eyes
Hives or welts
Tingling mouth
Abdominal pain vomiting these are signs of anaphylaxis for insect allergy

ACTIONS

  • Stay with person, call for help
  • Locate adrenaline device
  • Phone family/emergency contact
  • Insect allergy - flick out sting if visible
  • Tick allergy - seek medical help or freeze tick and allow to drop off
Mild to moderate allergic reactions may not always occur before anaphylaxis

ANAPHYLAXIS (SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONS)

WATCH FOR ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS

Difficult or noisy breathing
Swelling of tongue
Swelling or tightness in throat
Wheeze or persistent cough
Difficulty talking or hoarse voice
Persistent dizziness or collapse
Pale and floppy (young children)
Abdominal pain, vomiting - these are signs of ANAPHYLAXIS for insect allergy

ACTIONS

1. LAY PERSON FLAT - do NOT allow them to stand or walk
• If unconscious or pregnant, place in recovery position - on left side if pregnant       
• If breathing is difficult allow them to sit with legs outstretched
• Hold young children flat, not upright
 
LAY PERSON FLAT do NOT allow them to stand or walkIf unconscious or pregnant place in recovery position, on left side if pregnantIf breathing is difficult allow them to sit with legs outstretchedHold young children flat not uprightDo NOT allow the person to stand or walk
  

2. GIVE ADRENALINE DEVICE as shown on the device label

Give adrenaline injector as shown on device label to person lying downgive adrenaline injector as shown on device label to person sittinggive adrenaline injector as shown on device label for self lying downgive adrenaline injector as shown on device label for self sittinggive adrenaline injector as shown on device label for baby

3. Phone ambulance - 000 (AU) or 111 (NZ)

4. Phone family/emergency contact

Phone ambulance - 000 (AU) or one one one (NZ) Phone family/emergency contact

5. Further adrenaline may be given if no response after 5 minutes

Further adrenaline may be given if no response after 5 minutes

6. Transfer person to hospital for at least 4 hours of observation

Transfer person to hospital for at least 4 hours of observation

IF IN DOUBT GIVE ADRENALINE DEVICE
Commence CPR at any time if person is unresponsive and not breathing normally

Commence CPR at any time if person is unresponsive

EpiPen® Jr (150 mcg) is for children 7.5-20kg
EpiPen® (300 mcg) is for children over 20kg and adults
Anapen® 500 mcg is for children and adults over 50kg

ALWAYS give adrenaline device FIRST, if someone has SEVERE AND SUDDEN BREATHING DIFFICULTY (including wheeze, persistent cough or hoarse voice), even if there are no skin symptoms. THEN SEEK MEDICAL HELP. 

If adrenaline is accidentally injected, phone your local poisons information centre. Continue to follow this plan for the person with the allergic reaction.

© ASCIA 2025

This pictorial poster has been developed in response to requests for a more visual version of the ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis, which can also assist people with limited reading ability. The plan is best viewed when printed as an A3 poster which can be displayed in schools, children’s education/care (CEC) services and other community settings. It includes infographics showing:

  • Signs of mild, moderate and severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis); and
  • Actions for anaphylaxis.

Development of this poster was supported by ASCIA and the NSW Anaphylaxis Education Program (NSWAEP), as part of the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN).