How common is wheezing in anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can develop quickly after exposure to a trigger. Wheezing may occur with noisy breathing, throat tightness, hoarseness, cough, hives, flushing, vomiting, dizziness or collapse. Symptoms do not have to follow one fixed order, and skin changes may be absent. Wheeze by itself has many possible causes, but wheeze with signs of a severe reaction is an emergency.

People with a previous serious allergy may have been given an emergency action plan and an adrenaline auto-injector. Know where the device is kept and make sure people close to you understand the plan.

If anaphylaxis is suspected, use the person’s prescribed adrenaline auto-injector immediately according to its instructions, then call emergency services. Do not wait to see whether wheezing settles. Keep the person lying down with legs raised when possible; if breathing is difficult, they may sit with legs outstretched. Do not allow them to stand or walk suddenly.

Call emergency services now for wheezing after a likely allergen together with throat or tongue swelling, trouble breathing, faintness, collapse, widespread hives, repeated vomiting or sudden severe illness. Emergency assessment is needed even if symptoms improve after adrenaline, because symptoms can return and further observation may be needed.

After recovery, ask about the likely trigger, referral for allergy assessment, an updated emergency plan and training in auto-injector technique. Discuss how to read food or medicine labels and whether close contacts should be shown how to respond.