Anaphylaxis: essential patient information

The reaction can involve several body systems at once. Warning signs include tongue or throat swelling, difficulty swallowing, a hoarse voice, wheezing, persistent coughing, breathlessness, sudden dizziness, confusion, or collapse. Hives, flushing, facial swelling, stomach pain, diarrhoea, or vomiting may also appear. A skin rash is not required for diagnosis when serious airway, breathing, or circulation features are present after a suspected trigger.

Give the person's prescribed adrenaline auto-injector without delay and call UAE emergency services, saying that anaphylaxis is suspected. Keep them lying flat with raised legs when possible. Allow a supported sitting position with legs extended if breathing is difficult, or use the recovery position if they are unconscious but breathing. Do not let them stand, walk, eat, or drink. Follow the written plan for another injector if symptoms continue or return. Start CPR if normal breathing stops.

Every suspected anaphylactic reaction needs emergency medical care, even if adrenaline produces rapid improvement. Symptoms may return, and clinicians need to monitor breathing and circulation and decide whether further treatment is necessary. Antihistamines and asthma inhalers do not replace adrenaline: they cannot reliably treat throat swelling or shock. Never delay the emergency call while searching for the trigger.

Review the episode with a clinician and ask for a written allergy action plan. Discuss referral for assessment of foods, medicines, insect stings, or other possible triggers; testing should be chosen from the clinical history rather than performed at random. Learn how to use your specific injector, check its viewing window and expiry date, protect it from unsuitable temperatures, and keep it readily accessible. Tell close contacts where it is and provide updated plans to carers, schools, or workplaces.