Hesperian Health Guides
Allergy: Mild or Severe (Anaphylaxis)
Signs of a mild allergy (allergic reaction)
 Itching, swollen,
red eyes Rash or redness
Sneezing |
 If there is an insect bite, it may swell |
A severe allergy is much more dangerous and can quickly stop someone’s breathing.
Signs of a severe allergy (allergic shock, anaphylaxis)
- Flushing, itching, or rash
- Swollen lips, mouth, or throat
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swollen hands or feet
- Nausea or stomachache
The most common signs are rash and breathing problems.
If the person cannot swallow, or is having trouble breathing, give epinephrine right away. You can give another dose in 5 to 15 minutes if necessary.
Have this ready in a medicine kit before emergencies happen. Or include a pre-loaded epinephrine injection, called an Epipen in many places.
Inject epinephrine in the thigh muscle, here:
For breathing problems you can also give salbutamol. To treat symptoms such as itch and rash, you can give an antihistamine.
In most cases, if you ever have an allergic reaction to a medicine, food, bee sting, or something else, you should avoid it forever after. The second time you are exposed you can expect an even worse reaction.