A life-threatening allergic reaction that can develop within minutes of exposure to a trigger — food, insect sting, medication, or latex. Airways can close rapidly.
Act immediately — anaphylaxis can become fatal within minutes.
If the person has a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen), use it immediately on the outer thigh, even through clothing. Hold for 10 seconds.
Call for emergency help immediately after giving epinephrine.
If the person is conscious and breathing, help them sit upright to make breathing easier.
If they are having difficulty breathing and feel faint, lay them flat with legs raised — do not sit them up.
If they are unconscious but breathing, place in the recovery position.
If breathing stops, begin CPR.
Remove the trigger if possible — a stinger from an insect bite should be scraped out sideways, not squeezed.
Keep the person warm and still. Monitor breathing continuously.
Even if symptoms improve after epinephrine, do not let the person go home — reactions can return hours later (biphasic reaction).
Throat swelling or tightening — airway closing rapidly.
Stridor — a high-pitched sound on breathing in.
Severe difficulty breathing or wheezing.
Rapid drop in blood pressure — faintness, collapse, loss of consciousness.
Swelling of the tongue or lips.
Skin turning blue around the lips or fingernails.
Person collapses — begin CPR.
Do not give oral antihistamines as the primary treatment for anaphylaxis — they are too slow and insufficient for a severe reaction.
Do not give anything by mouth if the person has throat swelling or difficulty swallowing.
Do not leave the person alone — condition can deteriorate suddenly.
Antihistamines can help with mild hives but do not treat the life-threatening aspects of anaphylaxis.
✓ What Helps
· Epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) — the only first-line treatment, use immediately if available
· Oral antihistamine such as loratadine or chlorphenamine for mild allergic reactions only
✗ What To Avoid
· Oral antihistamines alone are not sufficient for anaphylaxis
· Do not delay going to hospital waiting to see if antihistamine works
→ Ask The Pharmacist For
· Epinephrine injection — available at hospitals and some clinics
· Ask your doctor about carrying a prescribed EpiPen if you have known severe allergies
🏥 Get Professional Help
Anaphylaxis is always a hospital emergency, even if symptoms improve. The reaction can return hours later without warning. Do not go home after an anaphylactic episode without hospital assessment and observation for at least 6 hours.