Articles
Anaphylaxis: First aid
Content
If you're with someone having an allergic reaction with signs of anaphylaxis:
Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
Overview
When to seek emergency care
Symptoms
Treatment
What to avoid
When to call your doctor
If you're with someone having an allergic reaction with signs of anaphylaxis:
Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
Overview
When to seek emergency care
Symptoms
Treatment
What to avoid
When to call your doctor
Treatment
After you call 911 or your local medical emergency number, do the following:
- Ask if the person is carrying an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others) to treat an allergic attack.
- If the person needs to use an autoinjector, ask whether you should help inject the medicine. This most often is done by pressing the autoinjector against the person's thigh.
- Have the person lie face up and be still.
- Loosen tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket.
- If there's vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn the person to the side to prevent choking.
- If there are no signs of breathing, coughing or movement, begin CPR. Keep doing about 100 chest presses every minute until paramedics arrive.
An antihistamine pill, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), isn't enough to treat anaphylaxis. These medicines can help relieve allergy symptoms, but they work too slowly in a severe reaction.
