An allergy is an overreaction by the immune system to a normally harmless substance.

Different people are sensitive to different allergens and allergic reactions range from mild to severe. It’s essential that people with severe allergies do everything they can to avoid contact with the allergens they are sensitive to.

For the first aider it is helpful to know that some people wear a medical warning bracelet to indicate their allergies.

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction. It often involves more than one body system – for example, the skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems.

Anaphylaxis is rare, but can be life threatening. People who are at risk of anaphylactic reaction need to know about their condition and how to prevent it. Avoiding an incident should always be the priority.

Learn more and test your knowledge on First Aid for Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis