Anaphylaxis treatment at home: what to do in an emergency

If anaphylaxis is suspected, use the person's prescribed adrenaline auto-injector without delay, following the device instructions, and call emergency services. Improvement after the injection does not remove the need for assessment because symptoms can return.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can quickly affect breathing or circulation. It can cause throat or tongue swelling, a hoarse voice, wheezing, breathing difficulty, dizziness, faintness or collapse. Hives, flushing or swelling may occur, but skin changes can be absent. Food, medicines and insect stings are among possible triggers.

Give the prescribed auto-injector into the outer thigh as its label directs; do not delay while looking for antihistamines. Call emergency services and say that anaphylaxis is suspected. Keep the person lying flat with legs raised when possible. If breathing is difficult, allow the shoulders to be raised or the person to sit up slowly, but do not let them stand or walk.

Stay with the person and follow the emergency operator's instructions. If symptoms persist or return and another prescribed auto-injector is available, use it at the interval stated in the person's emergency plan or device guidance. Antihistamines may ease some skin symptoms, but they do not replace adrenaline for breathing or circulation problems.

Call emergency services immediately for throat or tongue swelling, trouble breathing, noisy breathing, wheezing, sudden faintness, confusion or collapse during an allergic reaction. Emergency assessment is required after any use of an adrenaline auto-injector, even when the person feels better. If the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation if you know how and follow the operator's guidance.

Ask which triggers should be investigated, how to recognise your earliest warning signs and when to use each prescribed injector. Request a written emergency plan and hands-on practice with a trainer device. Confirm how to store the injectors, check their expiry dates and arrange replacements. Discuss whether family members, school staff or colleagues should learn how to help.