Anaphylaxis: Emergency Response: Common Questions

Anaphylaxis: Emergency Response: the questions people actually ask, answered from published guidance.

Key takeaways

• Only effective treatment: intramuscular adrenaline into the outer thigh
• Second dose: after 5 minutes if no improvement
• Most useful single change: Use the auto-injector immediately at the first sign.
• Commonest mistake: Standing the person up or letting them walk, which can be fatal.
• See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.

What is Anaphylaxis: Emergency Response?

A severe, rapid-onset allergic reaction affecting breathing or circulation.

Why does it matter?

Adrenaline is the only treatment and delay is the main cause of death, so recognition and speed are the entire issue.

Only effective treatment for Anaphylaxis: Emergency Response?

Intramuscular adrenaline into the outer thigh.

Second dose for Anaphylaxis: Emergency Response?

After 5 minutes if no improvement.

What is the single most useful thing to do?

Use the auto-injector immediately at the first sign.

What is the most common mistake?

Standing the person up or letting them walk, which can be fatal.

When should I see a doctor?

Call 999 immediately for swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a hoarse voice, wheeze, widespread rash with faintness, or collapse. Use adrenaline first, then call. Always go to hospital even if symptoms resolve, because they can return hours later.

Where to go next

• What People Get Wrong About Anaphylaxis: Emergency Response
• Anaphylaxis: Emergency Response: A Beginner-Friendly Start
• Anaphylaxis: Emergency Response — the reference entry
• What the Guidance Really Says About Suspected Stroke
• Suspected Heart Attack: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise

When to get help

Call 999 immediately for swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a hoarse voice, wheeze, widespread rash with faintness, or collapse. Use adrenaline first, then call. Always go to hospital even if symptoms resolve, because they can return hours later.

Where this comes from

• Resuscitation Council UK — anaphylaxis
• NHS — Anaphylaxis

How this page was put together

Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.

Medical disclaimer

This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.