What it is
People who have had anaphylaxis, or are at high risk, are usually prescribed two adrenaline auto-injectors to carry at all times and referred to an allergy clinic to identify the trigger.
After a reaction, people are usually observed in hospital for some hours, because symptoms can return.
Common signs
- Swelling of the throat or tongue, a hoarse voice
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing, fast breathing
- Feeling faint, dizzy, confused, or collapsing
- Often, but not always, a rash or hives
How it is usually diagnosed
- Recognised from the symptoms at the time and treated immediately
- Afterwards, a blood test for mast cell tryptase taken soon after the reaction
- Allergy testing at a specialist clinic to find the trigger
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- The emergency department or discharge letter describing the reaction
- Tryptase and allergy test results
- Your written anaphylaxis action plan
- Adrenaline auto-injector prescriptions and their expiry dates
Questions to ask your doctor
- What triggered the reaction, and how can I avoid it?
- How and when should I use my auto-injector?
- Should I wear a medical alert bracelet?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Any sign of a severe reaction: use adrenaline straight away, call 112 and say "anaphylaxis"
- Lie down with legs raised if you feel faint; sit up if it is hard to breathe
- Use a second auto-injector after 5 minutes if there is no improvement
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.