What is the primary treatment for anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe allergic reaction that can affect breathing, blood pressure, skin, and the digestive system. Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, wheezing, widespread hives, vomiting, dizziness, or collapse can occur together or develop quickly. A person may have anaphylaxis even without a skin rash.

Adrenaline helps open the airways, support circulation, and reduce swelling. It works most effectively when given promptly. Antihistamines do not replace adrenaline because they do not treat dangerous airway or circulation problems.

Use the person’s prescribed adrenaline auto-injector into the outer mid-thigh as soon as anaphylaxis is suspected, following its instructions. Call emergency services, state that anaphylaxis is suspected, and keep the person lying down with legs raised if comfortable. If breathing is difficult, allow a supported sitting position; do not let them stand or walk.

If symptoms continue or return and another prescribed injector is available, follow the emergency plan about a further dose. Stay with the person, monitor breathing, and begin resuscitation if they become unresponsive and are not breathing normally. Do not offer food, drink, or oral medicine to someone who is having trouble breathing.

Call emergency services immediately for sudden breathing difficulty, throat or tongue swelling, faintness, confusion, collapse, or symptoms affecting more than one body system after an exposure. Emergency assessment is needed even if the person improves after adrenaline because symptoms can return and further treatment or observation may be required.

Ask which symptoms should trigger your emergency plan, how to use your auto-injector, whether you need more than one device, and how to identify and avoid your suspected trigger. Ask whether an allergy referral or testing is appropriate after the reaction.