Skip to main content
Optum Perks

    Anaphylaxis

    Anaphylaxis

    What is anaphylaxis? — Anaphylaxis is the term doctors use to describe a serious allergic reaction. It can happen very quickly and can cause death. Anaphylaxis can happen after a person:
    Eats a food he or she is allergic to
    Takes a medicine he or she is allergic to
    Is stung by an insect he or she is allergic to
    Touches something made out of latex if he or she is allergic to latex
    Other triggers can also cause anaphylaxis.
    You might know if you are allergic to something. But you can also have anaphylaxis even if you don't know you have an allergy.
    What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis? — Anaphylaxis can involve one or more parts of the body. The most common symptoms are:
    Hives – Raised, red patches of skin that are very itchy (picture 1)
    Angioedema – A condition that causes puffiness, usually of the face, eyelids, ears, mouth, hands, or feet
    Other symptoms can include:
    Redness or itching of the skin (without hives)
    Swelling or itching of the eyes
    Runny nose or swelling of the tongue
    Trouble breathing, wheezing, or a change in your voice
    Throwing up or having diarrhea
    Feeling dizzy or passing out
    With anaphylaxis, you can get very sick, very quickly. Your symptoms can also change. You might first get hives on your skin. Soon after that, you might throw up or have trouble breathing. Each time you have anaphylaxis, you can have different symptoms. Symptoms also differ from person to person.
    The symptoms you have with anaphylaxis can be worse if you:
    Have asthma
    Have other health problems such as lung or heart disease
    How is anaphylaxis treated? — There are treatments that can help reduce anaphylaxis symptoms quickly. The best treatment is a medicine called "epinephrine." Epinephrine comes in a shot. Ambulance crews and doctors can give it.
    People who have had anaphylaxis before often get a prescription for a device called an "autoinjector" (for example, the EpiPen). This device has a shot of epinephrine that you can give yourself. If you have an autoinjector, you should keep it with you at all times. Use it right away any time you think you are having anaphylaxis. After you use the autoinjector, call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, dial 9-1-1). That's because the symptoms might come back and you might need more treatment in the hospital. A doctor or nurse will also watch you to make sure your symptoms do not come back.
    Should I see a doctor or nurse? — Yes. If you think you have anaphylaxis, act fast! If you have an epinephrine auto-injector, use it right away. Then call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, dial 9-1-1). Do not try to get yourself to the hospital because you might pass out or stop breathing on the way there. Also, calling an ambulance is usually the fastest way to get help.
    Is there anything I can do to prevent anaphylaxis again? — Yes. If you have had anaphylaxis, you should talk with your doctor or nurse. If needed, your doctor can do tests to find out what you are allergic to.
    Your doctor can help you make a plan to prevent future anaphylaxis. As part of your plan, you can:
    Learn about the symptoms of anaphylaxis so you will know when to get help
    Have an epinephrine auto-injector with you at all times
    Avoid foods, medicines, or insects you are allergic to
    Wear a medical bracelet to let others know about your allergy
    What will my life be like? — Many people who have had anaphylaxis are able to live normal lives. But you might need to make some changes in your life. You will need to avoid the things that can cause you to have anaphylaxis. You might need to carry medicine with you in case you have an allergic reaction.
    All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.
    This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Mar 30, 2020.
    Topic 15336 Version 12.0
    Release: 28.2.2 - C28.105
    © 2020 UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

    Popular drugs
    6 popular Anaphylaxis drugs
    • $3.00+
      Promethazine
      Generic Phenergan
      See prices
    • $141+
      Dexamethasone
      Decadron, Hidex 6-day, Dexamethasone 6-day Therapy Pack
      See prices
    • $6.40+
      Cyproheptadine
      See prices
    • $24.46+
      Dexamethasone
      Generic Dexonto 0.4 Pct
      See prices
    • $113+
      Epinephrine
      See prices
    • $7.68+
      Claritin OTC
      Wal-itin OTC, Loratadine OTC, Alavert OTC
      See prices

    Name

    Anaphylaxis

    Body systems

    Emergency Medicine,Immunologic

    The Basics

    Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate
    What is anaphylaxis? — Anaphylaxis is the term doctors use to describe a serious allergic reaction. It can happen very quickly and can cause death. Anaphylaxis can happen after a person:
    Eats a food he or she is allergic to
    Takes a medicine he or she is allergic to
    Is stung by an insect he or she is allergic to
    Touches something made out of latex if he or she is allergic to latex
    Other triggers can also cause anaphylaxis.
    You might know if you are allergic to something. But you can also have anaphylaxis even if you don't know you have an allergy.
    What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis? — Anaphylaxis can involve one or more parts of the body. The most common symptoms are:
    Hives – Raised, red patches of skin that are very itchy (picture 1)
    Angioedema – A condition that causes puffiness, usually of the face, eyelids, ears, mouth, hands, or feet
    Other symptoms can include:
    Redness or itching of the skin (without hives)
    Swelling or itching of the eyes
    Runny nose or swelling of the tongue
    Trouble breathing, wheezing, or a change in your voice
    Throwing up or having diarrhea
    Feeling dizzy or passing out
    With anaphylaxis, you can get very sick, very quickly. Your symptoms can also change. You might first get hives on your skin. Soon after that, you might throw up or have trouble breathing. Each time you have anaphylaxis, you can have different symptoms. Symptoms also differ from person to person.
    The symptoms you have with anaphylaxis can be worse if you:
    Have asthma
    Have other health problems such as lung or heart disease
    How is anaphylaxis treated? — There are treatments that can help reduce anaphylaxis symptoms quickly. The best treatment is a medicine called "epinephrine." Epinephrine comes in a shot. Ambulance crews and doctors can give it.
    People who have had anaphylaxis before often get a prescription for a device called an "autoinjector" (for example, the EpiPen). This device has a shot of epinephrine that you can give yourself. If you have an autoinjector, you should keep it with you at all times. Use it right away any time you think you are having anaphylaxis. After you use the autoinjector, call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, dial 9-1-1). That's because the symptoms might come back and you might need more treatment in the hospital. A doctor or nurse will also watch you to make sure your symptoms do not come back.
    Should I see a doctor or nurse? — Yes. If you think you have anaphylaxis, act fast! If you have an epinephrine auto-injector, use it right away. Then call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, dial 9-1-1). Do not try to get yourself to the hospital because you might pass out or stop breathing on the way there. Also, calling an ambulance is usually the fastest way to get help.
    Is there anything I can do to prevent anaphylaxis again? — Yes. If you have had anaphylaxis, you should talk with your doctor or nurse. If needed, your doctor can do tests to find out what you are allergic to.
    Your doctor can help you make a plan to prevent future anaphylaxis. As part of your plan, you can:
    Learn about the symptoms of anaphylaxis so you will know when to get help
    Have an epinephrine auto-injector with you at all times
    Avoid foods, medicines, or insects you are allergic to
    Wear a medical bracelet to let others know about your allergy
    What will my life be like? — Many people who have had anaphylaxis are able to live normal lives. But you might need to make some changes in your life. You will need to avoid the things that can cause you to have anaphylaxis. You might need to carry medicine with you in case you have an allergic reaction.
    All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.
    This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Mar 30, 2020.
    Topic 15336 Version 12.0
    Release: 28.2.2 - C28.105
    © 2020 UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

    What are other common names?

    Acute Systemic Allergic Reactions,Allergic Reactions,Anaphylactic Reactions,Anaphylactic Shock,Anaphylactoid Reactions,Drug Allergy,Generalized Anaphylaxis,Hypersensitivity Reactions,Shock, Anaphylactic

    Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

    This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. ©2020 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Copyright

    © 2020 UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.