Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. A future reaction could be severe, even if a child has only had a mild reaction before. So it's important to be prepared and know how to handle reactions. 

When You Get Home:

• Give your child any medicines as directed by the health care provider.
• Watch your child closely during the next 24 hours, because some kids develop a second, more severe reaction during this time.

Safety Planning:

• Avoid anything that caused your child's allergic reaction. For example, if your child has a food allergy, they must completely avoid the food that caused the reaction and anything that could be cross-contaminated with it.
• Ask the health care provider for an allergy action plan. Give copies of the plan to teachers and other care providers. Be ready for meals, field trips, art projects, and other situations where your child might be in contact with something they're allergic to.
• Your child might need to wear a medical alert ID bracelet with their name and known allergies. You can buy one in a drugstore or online.

Epinephrine:

• If the health care provider prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors, always keep two with your child, including at school, child care, and activities. This is in case one injector does not work or your child needs another dose of epinephrine before help arrives in an emergency. 
• Make sure the auto-injectors have not expired. They shouldn't be exposed to extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold) or sunlight.
• Use the epinephrine auto-injector right away if your child shows signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as:
  • breathing trouble
  • repeated vomiting
  • throat tightness
  • a combination of two mild symptoms (such as hives and vomiting)
  • loss of consciousness
• After using epinephrine, call 911.

• You have:
  • questions about what your child can eat or drink
  • any questions about the allergy action plan
• Your child:
  • is injected with epinephrine by accident
  • has side effects from any medicine taken for the allergic reaction
• You're not sure how or when to use the epinephrine injector.

• You or your child is injected with epinephrine in the hand or foot by accident.
• If your child shows signs of anaphylaxis, such as trouble breathing, throat tightness, a combination of two mild symptoms (such as hives with vomiting), or loss of consciousness, follow these steps, in this order:
  1. Give your child the epinephrine auto-injector right away. Give the epinephrine even if you're not sure your child needs it. It won't do any harm. After getting the epinephrine, your child must go to the ER to see if any other treatment is needed. This is true even if your child is doing better, because there can be a second wave of symptoms.
  2. Call 911:
     • If someone is with you, have that person call 911 and tell the person your child is having a life-threatening emergency.
     • If you're alone, give epinephrine first, then call 911 right away and say your child is having a life-threatening emergency.
  3. Lay your child down with the legs raised while you wait for the ambulance.
  4. Don't take your child to the ER in a car. Wait for an ambulance with trained specialists to transport your child.
  5. Take the used epinephrine auto-injector to the hospital with you.

What is an allergic reaction? An allergic reaction happens when the body's immune system thinks a substance (called an allergen) is a dangerous invader. The immune system goes into "overdrive," causing an allergic reaction. Common allergens include animal dander, insect stings, foods, pollens, plants, and medicines.

What happens during an allergic reaction? When the body tries to "defend" itself against an allergen, it releases certain chemicals, such as histamine. These cause allergic symptoms that can affect the skin, the digestive tract, breathing, and blood circulation. Some reactions may be mild and only involve hives, itching, stuffy nose, or watery, red eyes.

What is anaphylaxis? A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis (an-eh-fih-LAK-siss). Anaphylaxis can begin with symptoms of a less severe reaction, but can quickly get worse, leading to trouble breathing or swallowing, or a loss of consciousness. If not treated, anaphylaxis can cause death.

Some kids who have had allergic reactions are at risk for anaphylaxis. If your child is at risk, your health care provider told you this and prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors.