Does emergency medicine perform anaphylaxis emergency treatment?

Anaphylaxis is a fast-moving allergic reaction that can affect breathing, blood pressure, the skin, and the digestive system. Emergency clinicians look for swelling of the lips or tongue, wheezing, difficulty breathing, faintness, widespread hives, or repeated vomiting after an exposure. They may give adrenaline, support breathing and circulation, provide oxygen or other medicines when appropriate, and observe the person for a period because symptoms can return. The exact treatment depends on the person’s symptoms, medical history, and response.

An adrenaline auto-injector can be used as first aid when prescribed and available, but it does not replace emergency assessment. An emergency department can treat the reaction and decide whether further observation or specialist follow-up is needed.

Use the person’s adrenaline auto-injector according to its instructions, if one is available, and call local emergency services immediately. Keep the person lying down with legs raised when possible; allow them to sit only if breathing is difficult, and do not let them stand or walk. Remove the suspected trigger if this can be done safely. Stay with them, follow the dispatcher’s instructions, and tell responders what may have caused the reaction and whether adrenaline was given.

Seek emergency help immediately for trouble breathing, throat or tongue swelling, sudden faintness, confusion, a weak or rapid pulse, or symptoms affecting more than one body system after a possible allergen. Do not wait to see whether antihistamines work, and do not drive yourself if you feel faint or have breathing difficulty. Even if symptoms improve after adrenaline, emergency assessment is still needed because the reaction may recur.

Ask which symptoms should prompt adrenaline, how to use and store your auto-injector, whether you need more than one device, and how to prepare an allergy action plan. You can also ask whether an allergy referral could help identify triggers and reduce the chance of another reaction.