How does anaphylaxis emergency treatment work?

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can affect the skin, airway, breathing and circulation. Adrenaline is the first emergency medicine because it counters several dangerous effects at once: it can ease tightening in the airways, reduce swelling in the throat and face, and help maintain blood pressure. Emergency clinicians may give oxygen, fluids through a vein and other medicines according to the person’s condition. Observation is needed because symptoms can return after appearing to improve.

Use an adrenaline auto-injector as soon as anaphylaxis is suspected, following its instructions, and call emergency services. Lay the person down with legs raised if comfortable; allow them to sit with legs out if breathing is difficult. Do not let them stand or walk suddenly. If symptoms continue and another prescribed injector is available, follow the emergency plan. Stay with the person and tell responders what triggered the reaction.

Treat sudden facial swelling, throat tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, dizziness, collapse or widespread symptoms after an exposure as an emergency. Call emergency services immediately, even if adrenaline improves the symptoms. A person who has used an injector still needs assessment because further treatment and observation may be required.

Ask how to recognise your early warning signs, when to carry an injector, how to practise using it, and whether you need an allergy assessment or a written emergency plan.