AnaphylaxisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening type of allergic reaction.
Anaphylactic reaction; Anaphylactic shock; Shock - anaphylactic; Allergic reaction - anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction to a chemical that has become an allergen. An allergen is a substance that, for most people, is harmless, but in some people, it can cause an allergic reaction.
After being exposed to a substance such as bee sting venom, the person's immune system becomes sensitized to it. When the person is exposed to that allergen again, an allergic reaction may occur. Anaphylaxis usually happens quickly after the exposure. The condition is severe and involves the whole body.
Tissues in different parts of the body release histamine and other substances. This causes the airways to tighten and leads to other symptoms.
Some medicines (morphine, x-ray dye, aspirin, and others) may cause an anaphylactic-like reaction (often called an anaphylactoid reaction) when people are first exposed to them. These reactions are not the same as the immune system response that occurs with true anaphylaxis. But, the symptoms, risk of complications, and treatment are the same for both types of reactions.
Anaphylaxis can occur in response to any allergen. Common causes include:
- Medicine allergies
- Food allergies
- Insect bites/stings
Pollen and other inhaled allergens rarely cause anaphylaxis. Some people have an anaphylactic reaction with no known cause.
Anaphylaxis is life threatening and can occur at any time. Risks include a history of any type of allergic reaction.
Symptoms develop quickly, often within seconds or minutes. They may include any of the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling anxious
- Chest discomfort or tightness
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, or high-pitched breathing sounds
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Hives, itchiness, redness of the skin
- Nasal congestion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Palpitations
- Slurred speech
- Swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue
- Unconsciousness
Anaphylaxis is an emergency condition that needs medical attention right away. Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately.
Check the person's airway, breathing, and circulation, which are known as the ABC's of Basic Life Support. A warning sign of dangerous throat swelling is a very hoarse or whispered voice, or coarse sounds when the person is breathing in air. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number.
- Calm and reassure the person.
- If the allergic reaction is from a bee sting, scrape the stinger off the skin with something firm (such as a fingernail or plastic credit card). Do not use tweezers. Squeezing the stinger will release more venom.
- If the person has emergency allergy medicine on hand, help them take or inject it. Do not give medicine by the mouth if the person is having difficulty breathing. An epinephrine injector or intranasal epinephrine should be used immediately if it is available.
- Take steps to prevent shock. Have the person lie flat, raise the person's feet about 12 inches (in) or 30 centimeters (cm), and cover the person with a coat or blanket. Do not place the person in this position if a head, neck, back, or leg injury is suspected, if it causes discomfort, or if they are vomiting.
Do not:
- Do not assume that any allergy shots the person has already received will provide complete protection.
- Do not place a pillow under the person's head if they are having trouble breathing. This can block the airways.
- Do not give the person anything by mouth if they are having trouble breathing.
Paramedics or other providers may place a tube through the nose or mouth into the airways. Or emergency surgery will be done to place a tube directly into the windpipe (trachea).
The person may receive medicines to further reduce symptoms.
Domino's Farms
Dr. Akin completed his residency in Internal Medicine and PhD at the University of Louisville, and his Allergy/Immunology fellowship at the NIH Clinical Center, where he also worked as a staff physician and researcher. He was then an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan and an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, where he established and lead the Mastocytosis Center at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. He is internationally recognized for his work on mast cell disorders and anaphylaxis and is an active member of the AAAAI. Dr. Akin is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Anaphylaxis. He is also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Systemic Mastocytosis, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Anaphylaxis, Urticaria Pigmentosa, and Tissue Biopsy.
Munson Healthcare Cedarwoods Internal Medicine And Geriatrics
Paul Turner is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Traverse City, Michigan. He has been practicing medicine for over 29 years. Dr. Turner is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Anaphylaxis. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Anaphylaxis, Food Allergy, Asthma, and Sitosterolemia. Dr. Turner is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine - 2000.
Pascal Demoly practices practicing medicine in Montpellier, France. Mr. Demoly is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Anaphylaxis. He is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Grass Allergy, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Anaphylaxis can be life threatening without prompt treatment. Symptoms usually do get better with the right therapy, so it is important to act right away.
Without prompt treatment, anaphylaxis may result in:
- Blocked airway
- Cardiac arrest (no effective heartbeat)
- Respiratory arrest (no breathing)
- Shock
- Death
Call 911 or the local emergency number if you or someone you know develops severe symptoms of anaphylaxis. Or, go to the nearest emergency room.
To prevent allergic reactions and anaphylaxis:
- Avoid triggers such as foods and medicines that have caused an allergic reaction in the past. Ask detailed questions about ingredients when you are eating away from home. Also carefully examine ingredient labels.
- If you have a child who is allergic to certain foods, introduce one new food at a time in small amounts so you can recognize an allergic reaction.
- People who know that they have had serious allergic reactions should wear a medical ID tag or bracelet.
- If you have a history of serious allergic reactions, carry injectable or inhaled epinephrine according to your provider's instructions.
- There is no contraindication to using epinephrine in a severe allergic reaction.
Summary: Perioperative anaphylaxis may lead to fatal respiratory and/or circulatory events, yet both clinical diagnosis and management are challenging. Serum tryptase is an indicator that can provide important retrospective diagnostic value for anaphylaxis. Another key point in perioperative anaphylaxis management is to identify the allergens, and thus avoid re-exposure during later perioperative managemen...
Summary: Cephalosporin antibiotics are commonly used but can result in allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. There is no clear diagnostic approach for cephalosporin-allergic patients, and guidance for the use of other antibiotics in allergic patients is based on side chain chemical similarity and limited skin testing evidence. This project includes a clinical trial and mechanistic studies to optimize the app...
Published Date: January 20, 2026
Published By: Deborah Pedersen, MD, MS, Allergy & Asthma Care, PC, Taunton, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Dreskin SC, Stitt JM. Anaphylaxis. In: Burks AW, Holgate ST, O'Hehir RE, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 75.
Schwartz LB, Castells M. Anaphylaxis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 233.
Wang J, Lieberman JA, Wallace DV, Waserman S, Golden DBK. Anaphylaxis in practice: a guide to the 2023 practice parameter update. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2024;12(9):2325-2336. PMID: 38944199 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38944199/.