A severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) can be life-threatening. Your child was treated in the ER and is now ready to go home. Be sure to follow up with an allergy specialist. They will give you specific information about your child's allergy and how to treat another allergic reaction.
In general, though, be sure that:
- Your child avoids whatever caused the allergic reaction (if known).
- Your child always has 2 epinephrine auto-injectors (the treatment for severe allergic reaction) with them, including school, childcare, sports, and activities.
- You and any caregivers know how to treat a severe allergic reaction, including how to give the epinephrine auto-injector.
- You watch your child carefully for 3 days for any new signs of an allergic reaction. Sometimes symptoms can come back, even if your child doesn't have contact with what caused the first allergic reaction.

Follow your health care provider's instructions for:
- Giving your child any medicines
- Filling the prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector
- Having your child wear a medical alert bracelet or tag (available online and in drugstores)
- Going to see an allergy specialist
- When to follow up
Recognizing a Severe Allergic Reaction
Mild symptoms can include:
- Red bumps (hives) anywhere on the body
- Skin itching, redness, or swelling
- Sneezing or a stuffy, runny nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Coughing
Severe symptoms can include:
- Swelling of the mouth or tongue
- Trouble swallowing
- Trouble speaking or hoarseness
- Throat tightness, wheezing, or trouble breathing
- Belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Dizziness or fainting
- A feeling like something bad is about to happen
Give epinephrine and call 911 right away if your child has any symptoms of an allergic reaction (even mild symptoms like hives) in the first 3 days after leaving the ER.
After 3 days, the regular treatment for a severe allergic reaction is to give epinephrine and call 911 right away if your child has:
- Any severe symptoms of an allergic reaction
- Any mild symptoms that get worse or more than one mild symptom
Epinephrine works best when given within the first few minutes of a severe allergic reaction. Give the epinephrine even if you're not sure your child needs it. It won't do any harm and if you don't give it, your child's symptoms may get worse.
After your child gets epinephrine:
- Call 911 (or have someone call while you give the epinephrine) so your child can go to the ER by ambulance. Tell them that your child has had a severe allergic reaction and that you gave epinephrine.
- Your child needs to go to the ER after getting epinephrine, even if they're feeling better. The symptoms can come back and get worse.
- Do not drive your child to the ER after you give epinephrine. Wait for the ambulance so trained medical workers can take care of your child and get them to the ER.
- Have your child lie down while waiting for the ambulance. If their symptoms come back or get worse, give epinephrine again. If your child stops breathing or doesn't have a pulse, start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

What allergies can cause a severe allergic reaction? Severe symptoms happen most often during allergic reactions to foods, insect stings, medicines, and latex.
What should I know about epinephrine auto-injectors?
- Your child should always have 2 epinephrine auto-injectors with them.
- Be sure the epinephrine auto-injectors are not expired.
- Don't let the epinephrine auto-injectors get very hot or cold. The car usually isn't a good place to keep them because the temperature can go very low or high.
- Keep the epinephrine auto-injectors out of direct sunlight.
- Epinephrine auto-injectors come with a practice injector. Practice using it. If your child is old enough, have them practice with you.
- Make sure everyone who cares for your child knows how to use the epinephrine auto-injector.
- Epinephrine auto-injectors can be expensive. You can ask the allergy doctor if they can prescribe a less expensive generic version or know of any promotions or coupons to help with the cost.