After a Severe Allergic Reaction: How to Care for Yourself

A severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) can be life-threatening. After treatment in the ER, you're now ready to go home. Be sure to follow up with an allergy specialist. They will give you specific information about your allergy and how to treat another allergic reaction.

In general, though, be sure that:

• You avoid whatever caused the allergic reaction (if known).

• You always have 2 epinephrine auto-injectors (the treatment for a severe allergic reaction) with you, including at school, your job, sports, and activities.

• You know how to treat a severe allergic reaction, including how to give yourself the epinephrine auto-injector.

• You watch carefully for 3 days for signs of an allergic reaction. Sometimes symptoms can come back, even if you don't have contact with what caused the first allergic reaction.

Follow your health care provider's instructions for:

• taking any medicines

• filling the prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector

• wearing a medical alert bracelet or tag (available online and in drugstores)

• going to see an allergy specialist

• when to follow up

Recognizing a Severe Allergic Reaction 

Mild symptoms can include:

• red bumps (hives) anywhere on the body 

• skin itching, redness, or swelling

• sneezing or a stuffy, runny nose

• itchy, watery eyes

• coughing

Severe symptoms can include:

• swelling of the mouth or tongue

• trouble swallowing

• trouble speaking or hoarseness

• throat tightness, wheezing, or trouble breathing

• belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

• dizziness or fainting

• a feeling like something bad is about to happen

Give yourself epinephrine and call 911 right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction (even mild symptoms like hives) in the first 3 days after leaving the ER.

After 3 days, the regular treatment for a severe allergic reaction is to give epinephrine and call 911 right away if you have:

• any severe symptoms of an allergic reaction

• any mild symptoms that get worse or more than one mild symptom

Epinephrine works best when given within the first few minutes of a severe allergic reaction. Give the epinephrine even if you're not sure you need it. It won't do any harm and if you don't give it, your symptoms may get worse.

After you use epinephrine:

• Call 911 (or have someone call while you use the epinephrine) so you can go to the ER by ambulance. Tell them that you had a severe allergic reaction and that you used epinephrine.

• You need to go to the ER after using epinephrine, even if you're feeling better. The symptoms can come back and get worse.

• Do not drive yourself or let anyone else drive you to the ER after you use epinephrine. Wait for the ambulance so trained medical workers can take care of you and get you to the ER.

• Lie down while waiting for the ambulance. If your symptoms come back or get worse, use epinephrine again.

• You're not sure how to use the epinephrine auto-injector.

• You were injected with epinephrine by accident.

• You have symptoms of severe allergic reaction and you don't have an epinephrine auto-injector.

• You have any symptoms of an allergic reaction (even mild signs like hives) in the 3 days after leaving the ER. It's not common, but a severe allergic reaction can come back. You should use epinephrine and call 911 right away.

• You used epinephrine for a severe allergic reaction.

What allergies can cause a severe allergic reaction? Severe symptoms are most common during allergic reactions to foods, insect stings, medicines, and latex.

What should I know about epinephrine auto-injectors?

• You should always have 2 epinephrine auto-injectors with you.

• Be sure the epinephrine auto-injectors are not expired.

• Don't let the epinephrine auto-injectors get very hot or cold. The car usually isn't a good place to keep them because the temperature can go very low or high.

• Keep the epinephrine auto-injectors out of direct sunlight.

• Epinephrine auto-injectors come with a practice injector. Practice using it.

• Epinephrine auto-injectors can be expensive. You can ask the allergy doctor if they can prescribe a less expensive generic version or know of any promotions or coupons to help with the cost.