Allergic Reaction

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Shock:
  • In adults
  • In children
• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing:
  • In adults
  • In children
• Rapid swelling of the throat or tongue
• Swelling of the throat or tongue that causes difficulty breathing
• You had a severe reaction (anaphylaxis) in the past from the same type of sting, bite, food, or medicine (allergen), and similar symptoms are developing.

Note:

Use an allergy kit prescribed by your doctor for your allergy problem if you have:

• Severe symptoms.
• A kit immediately available, and you have been taught how and when to use it.
• Had a severe reaction in the past from the same type of sting, bite, food, or medicine (allergen), and similar symptoms are developing.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Yes	Have you used an epinephrine shot to treat an allergic reaction or been accidentally stuck with an epinephrine shot?
Yes	Do you have hives?
Yes	Do you have wheezing or difficulty breathing?
Yes	Do you have new swelling?
Yes	Do you have a rash and you are not sure if the rash was caused by an allergic reaction or a skin infection?
Yes	Do you think your symptoms may be caused by a medicine?
Yes	Do you have itching?
Yes	Do you think you have hay fever symptoms?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• An insect bite or sting or spider bite: Go to the topic Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites.
• A tick bite: Go to the topic Tick Bites.
• A snake or lizard bite: Go to the topic Snake and Lizard Bites.
• A problem with an area of the body that has been pierced: Go to the topic Body Piercing Problems.
• A sinus infection, such as headache, facial pain, or fever: Go to the topic Facial Problems, Noninjury.
• Ear pain: Go to the topic Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older or Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger.
• A cough that produces a lot of mucus: Go to the topic Coughs.
• Nosebleeds: Go to the topic Nosebleeds.
• Rash: Go to the topic Rash, Age 11 or Younger or Rash, Age 12 and Older.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: July 11, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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