Anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock explained

Both terms describe a medical emergency. Treatment should begin when anaphylaxis is suspected rather than waiting for collapse or for a clinician to confirm shock. Prompt adrenaline supports the airway, breathing, and circulation.

Anaphylaxis can involve throat or tongue swelling, breathing difficulty, wheezing, and a sudden fall in circulation. Hives, flushing, vomiting, or abdominal pain may accompany these features. Anaphylactic shock refers specifically to severe circulatory failure, which may appear as faintness, confusion, pale or clammy skin, loss of consciousness, or collapse.

The reaction can follow foods, medicines, insect stings, or other allergens. Sometimes the trigger is not immediately clear. The name of the trigger matters for prevention later, but identifying it must not postpone emergency treatment.

Give the person’s adrenaline auto-injector into the outer thigh as soon as anaphylaxis is suspected, then call emergency services. Follow the device instructions and the person’s action plan. If symptoms continue and another prescribed injector is available, the emergency call handler can guide further use.

Position the person flat with legs raised. If breathing is very difficult, support them in a sitting position without allowing them to stand or walk; place an unconscious breathing person on their side. Begin resuscitation if they are not breathing normally and follow dispatcher instructions.

Seek emergency help for sudden throat tightness, tongue swelling, hoarse voice, noisy breathing, severe wheeze, blue or grey lips, marked dizziness, confusion, fainting, or collapse. Widespread hives alone may be uncomfortable, but hives combined with airway, breathing, or circulation changes signal anaphylaxis.

Hospital assessment is needed even when adrenaline brings rapid improvement because symptoms can recur and further monitoring or treatment may be required. Do not drive yourself if you are the person having the reaction.

Ask what trigger is suspected, whether allergy testing is suitable, which exposures or related medicines to avoid, and how to obtain and store prescribed auto-injectors. Request a written action plan and practise device technique with a clinician or pharmacist.