ST JOHN Ambulance is sharing some timely advice as Somerset moves into the warmer months of the year.

Summer is an opportunity to spend more time outdoors with friends and family but allergies can lead to severe allergic reactions. St John Ambulance is asking, would you know what to do?

An allergy is any abnormal reaction of the body’s immune system to an allergen or ‘trigger’ substance. One of the most common allergens is plant pollen, which often causes hay fever. Other allergens include animal hair, dusts, moulds, bee stings and some foods. Common symptoms of mild allergy may include sneezing, runny nose and mild itchy rashes.

Anaphylaxis, sometimes called anaphylactic shock, is a severe allergic reaction that is a life-threatening medical emergency that can develop in just seconds after someone comes into contact with an allergen.

It can affect the whole body, and if not treated quickly enough can be fatal.

Common triggers of anaphylaxis include bee stings, some foods (commonly nuts), some medicines (most commonly penicillin) and some natural substances for example, latex. Someone at risk of anaphylaxis may know what they are allergic to and carry medication with them to use in an emergency.

Signs of an allergic reaction include: a red, itchy rash, or raised area of skin (weals/hives) often around the neck and face, red itchy and watery eyes, rapid swelling of hands, feet, or face (particularly lips and neck) and abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

There may also be difficulty breathing with wheezing, a noisy airway, swelling of the tongue and throat, confusion or agitation, or signs of shock leading to collapse and unresponsiveness.

This situation needs immediate medical attention, in a quick and calm manner.

If someone is having a severe allergic reaction, they may carry medication to inject themselves - an auto-injector or EpiPen. This is a pre-filled injection device containing adrenaline which, when injected, can help reduce the body’s allergic reaction.

Check if they have one, and if they do, help them to use it or do it yourself straight away following the instructions. Pull off the safety cap and, holding it with your fist, push the tip firmly against the casualty’s thigh until it clicks, releasing the medication - it can be delivered through clothing.

Hold in place for ten seconds following the instructions on the device, then remove. Call 999 and tell ambulance control that you suspect Anaphylaxis.

Help the patient to get comfortable and monitor their breathing and level of response by lying the casualty down with their legs raised. If they are having breathing difficulties, then sit them up.

Repeated doses of adrenaline can be given at five-minute intervals. Check this with the ambulance control centre, who will advise, if there is no improvement or the symptoms return.

Find out more about St John Ambulance-run First Aid courses, which anyone can join at: www.sja.org.uk.

The charity also has loads of free resources online, including its YouTube channel www.youtube.com/user/stjohnambulance, where anyone can learn how to save a life.