We know it can feel overwhelming if you experience a severe allergic reaction. While not every allergic response requires a trip to the ER, it’s always best to play it safe when in doubt.
If you’re experiencing a severe allergic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis, it could become a life-threatening event that requires immediate medical attention. You should treat every allergic reaction with urgency, whether it’s a sudden skin rash, body swelling or shortness of breath. But rest assured, we’re here for you 24/7 to provide the compassionate ER care you need.
Let’s look at what constitutes a severe allergic response, signs to watch out for and when to visit the emergency room.
What’s a Severe Allergic Reaction?
You're in good company if you or a loved one lives with allergies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than a quarter of all U.S. adults have seasonal allergies, also called hay fever. About 7% of Americans have eczema, a skin condition usually associated with allergies, and about 6.2% have some type of food allergy.
For some, their body’s reaction to an allergen can be severe and even life-threatening and must be treated as a medical emergency. A severe allergic reaction, also called anaphylaxis:
- Can develop rapidly
- Impacts multiple bodily systems
- Causes extreme symptoms, like difficulty breathing, major swelling and cardiovascular issues
- Requires the use of epinephrine to help quickly reverse severe symptoms
Common allergens that cause an anaphylactic reaction include:
- Food allergies to peanuts, milk, shellfish and sesame
- Insect stings from bees, wasps or fire ants
- Latex
- Medications and antibiotics like penicillin or general anesthetics
It’s important to remain mindful of this list so you or a loved one knows when to visit their primary care provider and when they need to visit their nearest ER.
What Are Mild Allergic Reaction Symptoms?
Many people experience nonemergency allergic reactions that are mild, like:
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Hives
- Itchy mouth
- Mild stomach pain or discomfort
- Minor swelling of the face or lips
- Nausea
- Runny nose
- Scratchy throat
- Skin rash or redness
- Sneezing
- Watery, itchy eyes
Be sure to visit your primary care provider if you’re experiencing these symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Anaphylaxis to Watch For
Allergic reactions can impact multiple bodily systems simultaneously. Signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, may include:
- Anxiety
- Chest or throat tightness
- Confusion
- Consistent vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Extreme diarrhea
- Eye swelling
- Hives or rash across the entire body
- Hoarse voice
- Loss or change of color, very pale, white or bluish lips
- Loss of consciousness
- Low pulse or blood pressure
- Major abdominal pain or cramps
- Swelling of the tongue or throat
- Wheezing
If you or a loved one experiences these reactions, get to your nearest ER immediately.
When Should You Go to the ER?
Not all allergic reactions require a trip to the emergency room. Many mild symptoms can be managed through over-the-counter medications. For example, mild skin irritations can be treated with antihistamines or hydrocortisone cream. Over-the-counter allergy eye drops can help soothe an irritated eye, and nasal decongestant sprays can help with congestion.
So, when should you go to the emergency room for an allergic reaction? You should visit your nearest ER — or call 911 if you’re unable to drive — if you or a loved one experiences a severe allergic reaction and needs medical treatment. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening, so it’s important that you don’t try to treat it yourself.
What to Expect at the ER
If you’re taken to the emergency department for severe allergic reaction treatment, you’ll be checked in quickly and have a fast medical evaluation by our doctors to determine the root cause of your reaction.
In most cases, your doctor will administer epinephrine, which is considered the first line of treatment for anaphylaxis. It works by helping your body reverse its reaction to the allergen. You may also be given other medications, as well as oxygen and IV fluids.
Our ER health care providers will monitor you for a few hours to see how your body is responding and to be readily available in case you experience additional or worsening anaphylaxis symptoms.
The Role of Epinephrine
Epinephrine is a naturally occurring hormone in the body. It’s also a neurotransmitter that helps signal the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. Our bodies enter this state when under extreme stress, causing the heart rate to speed up as well as breathing and blood pressure to increase.
As a medication, epinephrine helps to reverse the severe symptoms of anaphylaxis by:
- Increasing blood pressure
- Reducing swelling in the body and skin irritations
- Relaxing and reopening airways
- Stimulating the heart
- Strengthening the body’s mast cells, which help stop the release of histamine
If you or a loved one has a serious allergy that can be life-threatening, carry an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen) at all times. At the first sight of a severe allergic reaction, you can administer the epinephrine into the middle of the outer thigh. The medication begins working almost immediately to help relieve symptoms. But it’s important to know that the effects of epinephrine can wear off. Call 911 or visit your nearest ER for further medical treatment if you need to use your EpiPen again.
After Your ER Visit
After you visit the ER, there are a few things to consider to help you stay protected for future reactions. We recommend:
- Making an appointment with your allergist or immunologist for follow-up care: If this is a new allergy, they can develop a definitive diagnosis through allergy testing. If it’s a known allergy, your allergist will ask what happened and if any usual symptoms have changed or worsened.
- Getting a prescription for an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen): If you’ve never used an EpiPen, ask for instructions on properly using it.
- Creating an emergency plan with your loved ones: Make sure they’re aware of your allergy and what happens if exposed to it. It’s important that they understand what to do if you experience anaphylaxis, where you keep your EpiPen and how to use it.
- Avoiding triggers that may cause a severe allergic reaction: If you’ve developed an allergy to certain foods like shellfish, remove any products containing them and educate your loved ones on how to read ingredient labels.
Rest assured, we’re here for any follow-up care you may need.
You Ever-Present Health Partner
We know experiencing anaphylaxis can feel overwhelming, but you aren’t alone. If you or a loved one has a severe allergic reaction, visit your nearest ER for the expert care you need, delivered with uncommon compassion.
