Anaphylaxis signs and symptoms
An allergic reaction occurs when our immune system reacts to something that is usually considered harmless, such as a certain food, pollen, dust mites, insect bites or latex.1
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and can be life-threatening, because it involves the respiratory system (our ability to breathe) and the cardiovascular system (heart and blood pressure), and it should always be treated as an emergency.1,2
A mild to moderate reaction may include one or more of the following symptoms:7
Swelling of lips,
face and eyes
Hives or welts
Tingling mouth
Abdominal pain,
vomiting
(these are signs of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction for insect allergy)
Anaphylaxis or a severe allergic reaction may involve the symptoms above but the reaction involves
the respiratory and/or cardiovascular system.2
The following symptoms below indicate anaphylaxis :2,3
Difficult/noisy
breathing
Swelling of
the tongue
Swelling/tightness
in the throat
Difficulty talking
and/or a hoarse voice
Wheeze or
persistent cough
Persistent dizziness
or collapse
Loss of consciousness and/or collapse or becoming pale and floppy (in young children)
Warning signs
Sometimes, before an anaphylactic reaction occurs, a person experiences milder symptoms. These may include tingling of the skin or abdominal pain and vomiting. These early symptoms can be a useful warning that exposure to a trigger has occurred, and that treatment may be needed.4 Speak to your doctor about the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) and learn the warning signs for you or your child.
If you’re unsure if anaphylaxis is occurring it’s better to use EpiPen®Auto-Injector.6,7
-
References:
- Royal Children's Hospital [Internet]. What is an allergy?; [ cited August 2020 ]. Available from: www.rch.org.au/allergy/what_is_an_allergy/Allergy/.
- Anaphylaxis & Allergy Australia [Internet]. Signs and Symptoms; [ cited August 2020 ]. Available from: https://allergyfacts.org.au/allergy-anaphylaxis/signs-symptoms.
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy [Internet]. ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis; [ cited August 2020 ]. Available from: https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/ascia-action-plan-for-anaphylaxis.
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy [Internet]. Anaphylaxis; [ cited August 2020 ]. Available from: www.allergy.org.au/patients/about-allergy/anaphylaxis.
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy [Internet]. Adrenaline [Epinephrine] Autoinjectors Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ); [cited August 2020]. Available from: www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/adrenaline-autoinjectors-faqs.
- American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Food Allergy. [ cited August 2020 ] Available from: https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergy.
- Muraro A. et al. Anaphylaxis: guidelines from the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Allergy. 2014 Aug;69(8):1026-45 EAACI Taskforce on Anaphylaxis..
Join more than 35,000 EpiPen® Auto-Injector users and reap the benefits1
MyEpiPen® is an online resource dedicated to helping you and your family be better prepared to manage anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction). If you're not yet a member of MyEpiPen®, make sure you join today to receive:
- An EpiPen® Trainer – a training device to help you practise using EpiPen® Auto-Injector
- How to use EpiPen® Auto-Injector fridge magnet - to serve as a useful reminder
- Expiry reminders - to help ensure you always have an in-date EpiPen® Auto-Injector at hand
- Regular updates on the latest anaphylaxis news
Register here
Welcome to MyEpiPen®
Patients and Carers
Our new website is designed to support Australians who have been diagnosed with
severe allergies and are at risk of anaphylaxis.
Schools and Pharmacists
We’re busy working on your new programs, and look forward to welcoming you to the
new site soon. In the meantime, please click below to access the EpiClub® site as usual.
July 2021. EPI-2021-0194.
When collecting your EpiPen® or EpiPen® Jr Auto-Injector prescription, your pharmacist may try to switch it, or talk to you about switching to Anapen®.1
EpiPen® Auto-Injectors and Anapen® are not the same:2-4
EpiPen® takes just 2 steps to use.2,3
Anapen® takes more steps.4
EpiPen® has a Never-See-Needle.™2,3
Anapen®’s needle is exposed after use.4
- Switching means retraining: You, your family, friends and caregivers must retrain to use a different device correctly if you have an anaphylactic attack2-4
- Switching means a different ASCIA Action Plan: You will also need to get a new ASCIA Action Plan, specific to Anapen®5
Remember, you don’t have to change. It’s your choice6
Be specific and tell your GP and pharmacist that you want your EpiPen® Auto-Injector prescription.
References:
- NPS Medicinewise. Brand equivalence — ‘a’ flagging explained. Available at: https://www.nps.org.au/radar/articles/brand-equivalence-a-flagging-explained. Accessed December 2021.
- EpiPen® Adrenaline (epinephrine) 300 μg/0.3 mL Auto-Injector. Consumer Medicine information. July 2021.
- EpiPen® Jr. Adrenaline (epinephrine) 150 μg/0.3 mL Auto-Injector. Consumer Medicine information. July 2021.
- Anapen® Consumer Medicine information. March 2021.
- ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis (RED). https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/ascia-plans-action-and-treatment. Accessed December 2021.
- Medical Director. Active Ingredient Prescribing is coming: here’s what you need to know. https://www.medicaldirector.com/news/clinical-practice/2020/08/active-ingredient-prescribing-is-coming-heres-what-you-need-to-know. Accessed December 2021.
February 2022. EPI-2021-0567.