What should you know about anaphylaxis and anaesthesia?

Because the patient may be unconscious and covered by surgical drapes, the first clues can be a sudden blood-pressure change, breathing difficulty or wheezing rather than a reported itch or visible rash.

Several medicines and materials may be used close together around an operation, including antibiotics, muscle-relaxing medicines, antiseptics, dyes and latex-containing products. This timing can make the responsible exposure difficult to identify from observation alone.

Anaesthesia staff continuously monitor breathing and circulation, allowing them to recognise abrupt changes and stop suspected agents. The event should be documented precisely, including the sequence of substances given and the treatment response, because those details guide later investigation.

Before anaesthesia, tell the anaesthetist about any previous reaction during surgery, dental treatment or a medical procedure. Share the reaction report rather than relying only on a remembered drug name, and mention allergies to medicines, antiseptics, latex or injected contrast.

After a suspected episode, obtain the anaesthetic record and discharge summary. Follow the referral plan for specialist assessment, keep a clear written list of substances to avoid temporarily and make sure any confirmed allergy is added to your health records before another procedure.

Anaesthesia-related anaphylaxis in theatre is managed immediately by the clinical team with adrenaline, airway support, oxygen, fluids and other measures as needed. If throat swelling, breathing trouble, faintness, widespread hives with other symptoms, or collapse develops after leaving a facility, use prescribed adrenaline and call UAE emergency services.

Do not return for a planned procedure without alerting the anaesthesia team if a prior reaction has not yet been clarified. They need the earlier records to select alternatives and prepare an appropriate plan.

Ask which exposures occurred just before the reaction, whether blood samples were collected, when specialist testing should take place and what can safely be used meanwhile. Confirm how the conclusion will be communicated to your surgeon, dentist, anaesthetist and other healthcare teams.