What should you know about anaphylaxis symptoms?

Warning signs include throat or tongue swelling, wheezing, noisy or difficult breathing, hoarseness, dizziness, confusion, collapse, widespread hives, facial swelling, vomiting or severe abdominal discomfort. The combination and order of symptoms vary between people and between reactions.

Airway symptoms arise when tissues around the throat and tongue swell. Breathing symptoms can include wheeze, persistent cough or a feeling that air is not moving freely. Circulation problems may cause faintness, pale clammy skin, confusion or loss of consciousness.

Hives, itching, flushing and swollen lips or eyelids are recognised presentations of anaphylaxis, but skin changes are not required for the reaction to be severe. Digestive symptoms such as repeated vomiting or cramping are more concerning when they accompany problems in another body system or follow exposure to a known allergen.

Give the person's prescribed adrenaline auto-injector without delay when anaphylaxis is suspected, then call UAE emergency services. Follow their individual emergency plan and the injector directions. Do not postpone adrenaline while waiting to see whether an antihistamine helps.

Lay the person flat and raise their legs when practical. Someone struggling to breathe may sit with support, while a pregnant person should lie on the left side. Prevent standing or walking because an abrupt drop in blood pressure can lead to collapse. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Any suspected anaphylaxis needs an emergency response. Act for throat tightness, tongue swelling, breathing difficulty, wheezing, a hoarse voice, faintness, confusion or collapse, especially after food, medicine, an insect sting or another possible allergen.

Do not drive yourself if symptoms are progressing. Emergency clinicians can support the airway, breathing and circulation, observe for recurrence, and provide further adrenaline if needed. Improvement after the injector does not cancel the need for medical assessment.

Discuss which exposure may have triggered the episode, whether referral for allergy testing would clarify it, and what avoidance measures fit daily life. Ask for an updated emergency plan, replacement injectors after use, and practical training for family, school staff or colleagues who may need to help.