Should I shower if I have an allergic reaction
Allergic Reaction First Aid: What to Do
If you or someone you know is experiencing anaphylaxis, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. Help them use an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) if they have one.
Your immune system creates antibodies to fight off foreign substances so you dont get sick. Sometimes your system will identify a substance as harmful, even though it isnt. When this happens, its called an allergic reaction.
These substances (allergens) can be anything from food and medication to environments.
When your body comes in contact with these allergens, it can cause mild symptoms like skin irritation, watery eyes, or sneezing. In some people, allergies can lead to anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition. It results in shock, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and difficulty breathing. This can lead to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
Immediately call 911 or your local emergency services if you or someone you know is experiencing anaphylaxis.
Your bodys allergic reaction depends on what youre allergic to. Parts of your body thatll react include your:
Common symptoms
Take a look at the table below to see which symptoms commonly occur for which allergy:
The most serious allergic reactions can cause anaphylaxis. This reaction occurs minutes after exposure and, if left untreated, can lead to loss of consciousness, respiratory distress, and cardiac arrest.
Signs of anaphylaxis include:
Get emergency help if you or someone you know is experiencing anaphylaxis, even if symptoms start to improve. Sometimes symptoms can return in a second phase.
What to do when someone is experiencing anaphylaxis
If youre with someone whos experiencing anaphylaxis, you should:
- Call 911 immediately.
- See if they have an epinephrine (adrenaline) auto-injector (EpiPen) and help them, if needed.
- Try to keep the person calm.
- Help the person lie on their back.
- Raise their feet about 12 inches and cover them with a blanket.
- Turn them on their side if theyre vomiting or bleeding.
- Make sure their clothing is loose so they can breathe.
The sooner the person gets their epinephrine, the better.
Avoid giving oral medications, anything to drink, or lifting their head, especially if theyre having trouble breathing.
Your doctor can prescribe emergency epinephrine. The auto-injector comes with a single dose of medication to inject into your thigh. Youll want to teach your family and close friends how to inject the epinephrine in case of an emergency.
If the person youre with isnt breathing, coughing, or moving, you may need to perform CPR. This can be done even without formal CPR training. CPR involves doing chest presses, about 100 per minute, until help arrives.
If youre interested in learning CPR, contact the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or a local first-aid organization for training.
Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines and decongestants may relieve minor symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Antihistamines prevent symptoms such as hives by blocking histamine receptors so your body doesnt react to the allergens. Decongestants help clear your nose and are especially effective for seasonal allergies. But dont take them for more than three days.
These medications are available in tablets, eye drops, and nasal sprays. Many OTC drugs also cause drowsiness, so avoid taking them before driving or doing work that requires a lot of concentration.
Swelling, redness, and itching may be reduced with ice and topical creams that contain corticosteroids.
Make an appointment with your doctor if OTC drugs dont work. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to the medication.
The best remedies for food allergies usually entail avoiding foods that trigger an allergic reaction. If you accidentally come in contact or eat the food youre allergic to, OTC drugs can temper the reaction.
However, these drugs only help relieve hives or itching. Oral cromolyn can help your other symptoms. Its only available by prescription, so talk to your doctor.
You can also treat severe food allergies with epinephrine.
Poisonous plants
According to The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, about 7 out of 10 people have an allergic reaction when they touch poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. The sticky substances from these plants, also called urushiol, bind to the skin upon contact.
Symptoms range from mild redness and itching to severe blisters and swelling. Rashes appear anywhere from three hours to a few days after contact and last one to three weeks.
If exposed to poisonous plants, do the following:
- Avoid touching other areas of your body, especially your face.
- Clean the area with soap and water for at least 10 minutes.
- Take a cool bath.
- Apply calamine or another anti-itching lotion three to four times a day to relieve itching.
- Soothe inflamed areas with oatmeal products or 1 percent hydrocortisone cream.
- Wash all clothing and shoes in hot water.
These steps all focus on removing the urushiol from your skin. Severe reactions in children may require a doctors visit to prescribe oral steroids or stronger creams to ease symptoms.
See your doctor if you have a high temperature and:
- the scratching gets worse
- the rash spreads to sensitive areas, like the eyes or mouth
- the rash doesnt improve
- the rash is tender or has pus and yellow scabs
Despite some claims, theres no scientific evidence to support that scratching an open wound leads to poison in the bloodstream. The leftover oil (urushiol) only touches the immediate area. Avoid spreading the oil immediately by washing the affected area with soap and water.
Stinging insects
Most people will have a reaction to an insect bite, but the most serious reaction is an allergic one. About 2 million people in the United States are allergic to insect stings, estimates the Cleveland Clinic.
Most common insect stings are from:
- bees
- wasps
- yellow jackets
- hornets
- fire ants
Treat insect allergies with these first-aid methods:
- Remove the stinger with a straightedge object, like a credit card, using a brushing motion. Avoid pulling or squeezing the stinger. This may release more venom into your body.
- Wash the area with soap and water. Apply an antiseptic after washing.
- Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. Cover the area with a bandage.
- If theres swelling, apply a cold compress to the area.
- Take an antihistamine to reduce itching, swelling, and hives.
- Take aspirin to relieve pain.
Pregnant women shouldnt take OTC drugs without getting the OK from their doctor.
Children shouldnt take aspirin. This is because of the risk of a rare, but fatal, condition called Reyes syndrome.
Jellyfish stings
If a jellyfish stings you, wash the area with seawater or vinegar for 30 minutes. This will neutralize the jellyfishs toxin. Apply something cold on the affected area to soothe your skin and lessen pain. Use hydrocortisone cream and an antihistamine to reduce swelling.
The British Red Cross advises that urinating on a jellyfish sting wont help. In fact, it may actually increase pain.
In most drug allergy cases, your doctor should be able to prescribe an alternative medication. Antihistamines, corticosteroids, or epinephrine may be needed for more serious reactions.
Otherwise, your doctor may recommend a desensitization procedure. This means taking small doses of the medication until your body can handle your dosage.
Once youve had an allergic reaction, its important to identify the source to avoid future contact. For ingredient-specific allergies, check product ingredients before purchase. Applying lotion before going hiking or camping may help prevent poison ivy from spreading or absorbing into your skin.
The more control you keep over your contact with allergens, the less likely youll have an allergic reaction. Make sure your co-workers and friends know about your allergies and where you keep your epinephrine auto-injector. Teaching your friends how to treat an allergic reaction can help save a life.
How do you treat an allergic reaction?
There are many causes of allergic reactions, meaning knowing the best treatments is not always easy. However, in most cases, home remedies and OTC medications can help reduce symptoms.
Close to
The treatments for allergies and allergic reactions will depend on their causes and severity.
In this article, we take a close look at a range of treatments for allergic reactions, depending on a persons symptoms and their severity, including anaphylaxis.
An allergic reaction occurs when cells in the immune system interpret a foreign substance or allergen as harmful.
The immune system overreacts to these allergens and produces histamine, a chemical that causes allergy symptoms, such as inflammation, sneezing, and coughing.
Many mild to moderate allergic reactions are treatable with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. The following treatments are commonly used to reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction:
Antihistamines
Antihistamines can help to treat most minor allergic reactions regardless of the cause. These drugs reduce the bodys histamine production, reducing symptoms, including sneezing, watering eyes, and skin reactions.
Antihistamines come in several forms, usually to help deliver the medication closer to the source of the reaction or make it easier to consume, such as:
- oral pills
- dissolvable tablets
- nasal sprays
- liquids
- eye drops
Second-generation antihistamines, including Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine), are less likely to cause drowsiness than first-generation antihistamines, such as Benadryl.
A person who is pregnant, has a heart condition, or liver disorder should consult their doctor before taking antihistamines.
Nasal decongestants
Nasal decongestant pills, liquids, and sprays can also help reduce stuffiness, swollen sinuses, and related symptoms, such as a sore throat or coughing.
However, decongestant medications are not a long-term solution. In most cases, you should not use decongestants for more than 1 week, but this time may differ between products. Always make sure to read dosage instructions closely before use.
Anti-inflammatory medication
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) may also help temporarily reduce pain, swelling, and cramping caused by allergies.
Avoid the allergen
The best way to treat and prevent allergic reactions is to know what triggers them and stay away from them, especially food allergens.
When this is not possible or realistic, using antihistamines or decongestants when in contact with allergens can help to treat the symptoms.
Use a saline sinus rinse
When allergies cause sinus problems, rinsing the sinuses with a saline solution may help. This can remove allergens and clear the airways.
Treating environmental allergies
For airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust, and mold spores, additional treatment options include:
- throat lozenges with soothing ingredients, such as menthol, honey, or ginger
- shower and wash all clothing after being exposed to an allergen
- exercise for a few minutes to help reduce nasal congestion
Treating allergies on the skin
For allergic reactions that cause skin symptoms, including those associated with allergens found in animal saliva, poisonous plants, drugs, chemicals, and metals, additional treatment options include:
- topical corticosteroid creams or tablets
- moisturizing creams
- cold compresses
Treating severe allergies
People should speak to a professional if they have or suspect that they have severe or chronic allergies.
Treatment options for chronic or severe allergies include:
Many traditional medication systems use herbal supplements and extracts to treat and prevent allergic reactions, especially seasonal ones.
Though little scientific evidence supports using most alternative or natural remedies, some people may find that some can relieve their symptoms.
- Dietary changes: A low fat diet high in complex carbohydrates, such as beans, whole grains, and vegetables, may reduce allergy reactions.
- Bioflavonoids: These plant-based chemicals in citrus fruits and blackcurrants may act as natural antihistamines.
- Supplements: Flaxseed oil, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E may improve allergy symptoms.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture treatments may help some people relieve their symptoms.
A very severe allergic reaction can lead to anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock.
Anaphylaxis occurs when the bodys immune response to an allergen is so severe and sudden that the body goes into a state of shock. Anaphylaxis can impact multiple organs and, if left untreated, lead to coma, organ failure, and death.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- tingling in the palms of the hand, soles of the feet, and lips
- swollen tongue, throat, mouth, and face
- difficulty breathing
- rapid but weak pulse
Anyone who suspects anaphylaxis should call 911 and seek emergency medical care.
If the person carries an EpiPen, which is a self-injectable dose of epinephrine for treating anaphylaxis, inject this into their thigh as soon as possible.
First aid for anaphylaxis includes:
- try to keep the person calm
- the person may vomit, so turn them on their side and keep their mouth clear
- try to get the person to lay flat on their back with their feet raised about a foot above the ground
- make sure the persons clothing is loose, or remove constricting clothing
- do not give them anything to drink or eat, even if they ask for it
- if they are not breathing, practice CPR with around 100 firm chest compressions every minute until emergency services arrive
If a person does not have an EpiPen, a doctor or paramedic will give an injection of the hormone epinephrine or adrenaline. This will immediately increase the output of the heart and blood flow throughout the body.
Learn more about how to perform CPR here.
Many people experience allergic reactions when they are exposed to specific allergens, ranging from pet dander and pollen to compounds in foods, drinks, and personal hygiene products.
The best treatment of an allergic reaction depends on the cause, though most minor cases can be treated with OTC antihistamines and anti-itch products.
A person should seek immediate medical attention for chronic or severe allergic reactions, especially those that involve swelling of the throat or changes in heart rate. Anaphylaxis should always be treated as a medical emergency.
