Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with anaphylaxis, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person is developing a rapid, whole-body allergic reaction after food, medicine, insect sting, or unknown trigger. Breathing or circulation may be failing.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112. Use EpiPen in thigh. Lay flat, legs up. Second dose in 5 minutes if still bad.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Trouble breathing, wheezing, tight throat, or hoarse voice.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Swelling of lips, tongue, face, or throat.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hives or widespread itchy rash spreading fast.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Dizziness, fainting, pale or clammy skin, confusion — signs of shock.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction. The body releases chemicals that swell the airway, drop blood pressure, and can stop breathing within minutes.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — It can worsen very quickly. Epinephrine and emergency care are time-critical.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Common triggers include peanuts, shellfish, medicines (especially antibiotics), insect stings, and latex.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Shout for someone to call 112 or 108 while you help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ask if they have an epinephrine auto-injector. Get it and help them use it immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Remove the trigger if obvious and safe — e.g., stop eating the food, move away from the sting site.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Inject epinephrine into the outer middle thigh through clothing if needed. Hold 3 seconds.
When and how to get professional help.
Any suspected anaphylaxis needs emergency care immediately — even if epinephrine seems to help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Give epinephrine if available, call for help, and monitor breathing. Do not try to treat with antihistamines alone.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or 108. Say: "Suspected anaphylaxis — severe allergic reaction. Person having trouble breathing."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell them what triggered it, whether epinephrine was given, and the exact location.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay on speaker. Ask if a second epinephrine dose is needed before ambulance arrives.
Useful questions before or while you help.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT rely on antihistamines (like cetirizine) alone — they cannot stop anaphylaxis.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT make them stand or walk — this can worsen shock.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give food, drink, or anything by mouth.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT wait to see if it gets better before calling for help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Antihistamine tablets are enough for a severe allergic reaction
Other scenarios in the same family.
Use EpiPen
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Someone is having a severe allergic reaction and you need to help them use an epinephrine auto-injector before help arrives.
Drug allergy
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person develops rash, swelling, breathing problems, or shock after taking a medicine — prescription, over-the-counter, or traditional remedy.
Food allergy
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person develops allergic symptoms — hives, swelling, vomiting, or breathing difficulty — after eating food they are allergic to or suspect they are allergic to.
Sting allergy
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person was stung by a bee, wasp, hornet, or ant and is developing an allergic reaction beyond normal local pain and swelling.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Lay them flat. Raise legs about 12 inches unless breathing is easier sitting up or they are vomiting.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Loosen tight clothing around the neck. Turn head to the side if vomiting.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Watch breathing constantly. If they become unresponsive and stop breathing — start CPR.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Anaphylaxis always needs emergency hospital care — even if symptoms improve after epinephrine.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Symptoms can return (biphasic reaction) hours later. They must stay under medical observation.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Only epinephrine treats the life-threatening airway and blood pressure problems in anaphylaxis. Antihistamines may help itching but not breathing failure.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Delaying epinephrine while giving antihistamines can be fatal.