Knowing the Signs and Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction

If someone was a having a severe allergic reaction would you recognize the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis?

There are a LOT of different kinds of reactions that can happen when someone encounters a food they’re allergic to and there’s different levels of severity of these reactions. So let’s break it down and talk about them!

Signs/Symptoms

Some people get a rash on their skin and break out in hives which Benadryl is sometimes used to help treat. But for more severe reactions you might start to see swollen lips, eyes, hands and feet. The mouth, tongue, and throat can also have a lot of swelling which can cause trouble breathing. You might also hear some wheezing. The individual might experience abdominal pain or vomiting and may even feel light headed and pass out. Just because someone is feeling one of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean they’re having an allergic reaction, but it’s important to find out really quickly if they are. 

How you can help

If someone is having an allergic reaction, it’s also helpful if you can find out what allergen they came into contact with if they know and can communicate that with you. For some people allergic reactions can come on very quickly and for others it might take a few hours. Because of this it’s super important to respond as fast as you can when allergic reactions begin. If someone is having a severe allergic reaction do your best to find out if they have an Epi-Pen. 

As always don’t hesitate to call 911 if they’re having trouble breathing or losing consciousness. It so much better to be safe than safe than sorry and get more people involved in the situation. 

Having severe allergic reactions can be really scary, I know that from personal experience. So if you’re supporting someone going through an anaphylactic reaction staying calm is really helpful. Recognizing these signs and symptoms can help save a life!