Stay with the person and monitor their condition.
If they become unresponsive and are not breathing normally, begin CPR if you are trained and follow instructions from emergency medical dispatchers.
5. Don’t Depend on Antihistamines
Antihistamines may help some mild allergy symptoms, such as itching or hives.
However, they do not replace epinephrine during anaphylaxis and are too slow and limited to treat the dangerous airway, breathing, and circulation problems associated with a severe reaction.
What If There Is No Epinephrine?
If someone develops symptoms strongly suggesting anaphylaxis and does not have an epinephrine auto-injector, contact emergency medical services immediately.
Do not wait to see whether severe symptoms disappear on their own.
Follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions while waiting for help.
Common Causes of Severe Allergic Reactions
Food
Food allergies can involve many different foods, including:
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Shellfish
- Fish
- Milk
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soy
- Sesame
People with diagnosed food allergies should carefully check ingredient labels and ask about ingredients when eating outside the home.
Medications
Some medications can cause serious allergic reactions.
Keep an up-to-date list of medications you take and any previous allergic reactions. Make sure doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals know about significant medication allergies.
Insect Stings
Bees, wasps, hornets, and other insects can trigger severe reactions in susceptible people.
Anyone with a history of severe insect-sting allergy should discuss prevention and emergency treatment with a healthcare professional.
Latex
Latex can be found in certain medical and household products.
If you have a known latex allergy, tell healthcare professionals before medical procedures.
How to Prepare If You’ve Had a Severe Reaction Before
If you’ve previously experienced anaphylaxis or another significant allergic reaction, talk with a healthcare professional about prevention.
Depending on your situation, you may be advised to:
