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Warning-sign checks

Food allergy: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services immediately if a possible food reaction causes:

    • Difficulty breathing, wheezing, persistent coughing, or noisy breathing
    • Throat tightness, tongue swelling, or difficulty speaking or swallowing
    • Faintness, confusion, collapse, or signs of poor circulation
    • A rapid combination of symptoms affecting different body systems

    If you have been prescribed adrenaline for these symptoms, use it promptly according to your action plan, then call emergency services.

    Do not rely on an antihistamine for anaphylaxis.

    Medical monitoring is needed because symptoms can continue or return.

    Seek review after any suspected allergic reaction, even if it settled without emergency treatment.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a medical assessment for repeated symptoms after a food, an increasingly restricted diet, poor growth, or persistent digestive symptoms.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Food allergy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.