This reaction occurs minutes after exposure and, if left untreated, can lead to loss of consciousness , respiratory distress , and cardiac arrest. Get emergency help if you or someone you know is experiencing anaphylaxis, even if symptoms start to improve. Sometimes symptoms can return in a second phase.
Your doctor can prescribe emergency epinephrine. The auto-injector comes with a single dose of medication to inject into your thigh. This can be done even without formal CPR training. CPR involves doing chest presses, about per minute, until help arrives. Over-the-counter OTC antihistamines and decongestants may relieve minor symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Decongestants help clear your nose and are especially effective for seasonal allergies. These medications are available in tablets, eye drops, and nasal sprays. Many OTC drugs also cause drowsiness, so avoid taking them before driving or doing work that requires a lot of concentration. Swelling, redness , and itching may be reduced with ice and topical creams that contain corticosteroids.
Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to the medication. The best remedies for food allergies usually entail avoiding foods that trigger an allergic reaction. However, these drugs only help relieve hives or itching. Oral cromolyn can help your other symptoms. The sticky substances from these plants, also called urushiol, bind to the skin upon contact.
Symptoms range from mild redness and itching to severe blisters and swelling. Rashes appear anywhere from three hours to a few days after contact and last one to three weeks. The more common allergens include: grass and tree pollen — an allergy to these is known as hay fever allergic rhinitis dust mites animal dander, tiny flakes of skin or hair food — particularly nuts, fruit, shellfish, eggs and cows' milk insect bites and stings medicines — including ibuprofen , aspirin and certain antibiotics latex — used to make some gloves and condoms mould — these can release small particles into the air that you can breathe in household chemicals — including those in detergents and hair dyes Most of these allergens are generally harmless to people who are not allergic to them.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction Allergic reactions usually happen quickly within a few minutes of exposure to an allergen. They can cause: sneezing a runny or blocked nose red, itchy, watery eyes wheezing and coughing a red, itchy rash worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms Most allergic reactions are mild, but occasionally a severe reaction called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock can occur.
This is a medical emergency and needs urgent treatment. Getting help for allergies See a GP if you think you or your child might have had an allergic reaction to something. A GP can help determine whether it's likely you have an allergy. Find out more about allergy testing How to manage an allergy In many cases, the most effective way of managing an allergy is to avoid the allergen that causes the reaction whenever possible.
There are also several medicines available to help control symptoms of allergic reactions, including: antihistamines — these can be taken when you notice the symptoms of a reaction, or before being exposed to an allergen, to stop a reaction occurring decongestants — tablets, capsules, nasal sprays or liquids that can be used as a short-term treatment for a blocked nose lotions and creams, such as moisturising creams emollients — these can reduce skin redness and itchiness steroid medicines — sprays, drops, creams, inhalers and tablets that can help reduce redness and swelling caused by an allergic reaction For some people with very severe allergies, a treatment called immunotherapy may be recommended.
What causes allergies? The number of people with allergies is increasing every year. Is it an allergy, sensitivity or intolerance? In most cases, over-the-counter antihistamines , such as diphenhydramine Benadryl , can be effective in controlling mild allergic reactions. Shop for over-the-counter antihistamines online. If you or someone you know experiences a severe allergic reaction, you should seek emergency medical attention. Check to see if the person is breathing, call or your local emergency services, and provide CPR if needed.
People with known allergies often have emergency medications with them, such as an epinephrine auto-injector EpiPen , Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q. The person may need your help to administer the medication. If the person is unconscious, follow these steps to help prevent shock:.
You may not be able to avoid an allergic reaction completely, but these steps can help you prevent future allergic reactions. For example, if you tend to react to home cleaning products, consider choosing products that are specially formulated for people with allergies and sensitivities.
If you have a known allergy, preventing an allergic reaction will improve your outlook. You can do this by avoiding your allergens whenever possible.
However, symptoms may return if you come into contact with the allergen again. If you have a severe allergic reaction, your outlook will depend on receiving quick emergency care, since anaphylaxis can result in death. If you have severe allergies, always carry an epinephrine auto-injector and inject yourself if symptoms occur. Sometimes your immune system will identify a substance as harmful, even though it isn't.
When this happens, it's called an allergic reaction. The reaction can get worse very quickly. So doctors usually want people with allergies to carry injectable medicine called epinephrine. Epinephrine enters the bloodstream and works quickly against serious allergy symptoms. Doctors prescribe epinephrine auto injectors. These should always be with the person with allergies, including at school, sports, jobs, and other activities.
The auto injector is small and easy to use. If you're prescribed epinephrine, the doctor will show you how to use it. Always have two auto injectors with you in case one doesn't work or you need a second dose. Your doctor also might instruct you to take antihistamines in some cases. But always treat a serious reaction with epinephrine.
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