Allergy, Anaphylaxis & Common Skin Disease
Recognise systemic allergy and support safe long-term skin and allergy care.
Quick revision ↓ Medical Dictionary
01Recognise anaphylaxis
Rapid airway, breathing or circulatory problems after a possible allergen exposure suggest anaphylaxis. Skin changes may be present but are not required. Call for emergency help and follow the age-appropriate anaphylaxis pathway; intramuscular adrenaline is first-line treatment, while antihistamines do not treat life-threatening airway or circulatory compromise.
02Treatment and observation
Use the appropriate adrenaline preparation and weight or age guidance, with repeated assessment and further treatment according to response. Avoid sudden standing or walking in a compromised patient. Arrange suitable observation and escalation; apparent improvement does not remove the need for a safe post-reaction plan.
03Clarify food allergy
Take a detailed history of timing, reproducibility and symptoms after exposure. Tests should answer a clinical question rather than screen indiscriminately. Sensitisation does not always equal clinical allergy. Avoid broad food exclusion without specialist or dietetic support because unnecessary restriction can impair growth.
04Eczema care
Explain regular emollient use and appropriate anti-inflammatory treatment for flares, matched to site and severity. Discuss correct application and review infection concerns. Painful rapidly worsening eczema with systemic illness or characteristic clustered erosions needs urgent assessment for serious infection, including eczema herpeticum.
05Prevention and support
After anaphylaxis, arrange allergy referral, trigger advice and training with prescribed emergency devices. Ensure carers and school understand the individual plan. For chronic skin disease, review sleep, itch, treatment burden and adherence without blame; persistent poor control may require specialist assessment.
High-Yield Revision
- Anaphylaxis can occur without a rash.
- Intramuscular adrenaline is first-line for anaphylaxis.
- Allergy tests require clinical interpretation.
Common Pitfalls
- Using antihistamines instead of adrenaline for airway compromise.
- Removing multiple foods without nutritional oversight.
References & Further Reading
Read the relevant guideline sections alongside these original clinical teaching cases. Local pathways, available services and individual patient factors determine care.
Reference review: 28 September 2026. Consult current local protocols for prescribing, procedures and escalation.