Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, is an emergency. Learn who's at risk, what to watch for and what to do when it occurs.COVID-19:Advice,updatesandvaccineoptionsWeareopenforsafein-personcare.Learnmore:MayoClinicfactsaboutcoronavirusdisease2019(COVID-19)OurCOVID-19patientandvisitorguidelines,plustrustedhealthinformationLateston COVID-19vaccination bysite:ArizonapatientvaccinationupdatesArizona,FloridapatientvaccinationupdatesFlorida,RochesterpatientvaccinationupdatesRochesterandMayoClinicHealthSystempatientvaccinationupdatesMCHSSkiptositenavigationSkiptoContentThiscontentdoesnothaveanEnglishversion.ThiscontentdoesnothaveanArabicversion.SectionsforAnaphylaxisSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsPrintDiagnosisYourdoctorwillaskyouquestionsaboutpreviousallergicreactions,includingwhetheryou'vereactedto:ParticularfoodsMedicationsLatexInsectstingsTohelpconfirmthediagnosis:Youmightbegivenabloodtesttomeasuretheamountofacertainenzyme(tryptase)thatcanbeelevateduptothreehoursafteranaphylaxisYoumightbetestedforallergieswithskintestsorbloodteststohelpdetermineyourtriggerManyconditionshavesignsandsymptomssimilartothoseofanaphylaxis.Yourdoctorwillwanttoruleoutotherconditions.MoreInformationCreatininetestsUrinalysisTreatmentDuringananaphylacticattack,youmightreceivecardiopulmonaryresuscitation(CPR)ifyoustopbreathingoryourheartstopsbeating.Youmightalsobegivenmedications,including:Epinephrine(adrenaline)toreduceyourbody'sallergicresponseOxygen,tohelpyoubreatheIntravenous(IV)antihistaminesandcortisonetoreduceinflammationofyourairpassagesandimprovebreathingAbeta-agonist(suchasalbuterol)torelievebreathingsymptomsWhattodoinanemergencyIfyou'rewithsomeonewho'shavinganallergicreactionandshowssignsofshock,actfast.Lookforpale,coolandclammyskin;aweak,rapidpulse;troublebreathing;confusion;andlossofconsciousness.Dothefollowingimmediately:Call911oremergencymedicalhelp.Useanepinephrineautoinjector,ifavailable,bypressingitintotheperson'sthigh.Makesurethepersonislyingdownandeleva