If you have sudden difficulty in breathing, swelling of your face, tightness in your throat, persistent dizziness, hives, or other symptoms that could indicate an allergic reaction, your clinician will assess if you are experiencing anaphylaxis, the most severe form of allergic reaction. Abdominal pain with or without vomiting can also be a sign of anaphylaxis, usually for people allergic to insect bites or stings.
A reaction can occur within minutes or several hours after exposure to a trigger (also called an ‘allergen’). Your clinician will ask about food and drinks in the past few hours, medicines used and any insect bites or stings, as these are the most common triggers of anaphylaxis.
A mild or moderate allergic reaction can rapidly become severe (anaphylaxis). Be aware of the symptoms and signs of anaphylaxis so you can recognise if this is happening.
If you have an allergy or have had anaphylaxis before, it is important to let your clinician know. If you have asthma, are at risk of anaphylaxis, and experience sudden difficulty in breathing, this should be treated as anaphylaxis.