Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is anaphylaxis? —
This is a serious allergic reaction. It can cause serious symptoms, including swelling, trouble breathing, and fainting. Anaphylaxis can happen very quickly and can lead to death if not treated right away.
Anaphylaxis can happen after a person:
●Eats a food they are allergic to
●Takes a medicine they are allergic to
●Is stung by an insect they are allergic to
Sometimes, anaphylaxis happens without an obvious cause.
Anaphylaxis is treated with a medicine called "epinephrine." People who had anaphylaxis usually get a prescription for epinephrine. It comes in 2 forms:
●A device called an "autoinjector" (sample brand names: Auvi-Q, EpiPen), which has a shot you can give yourself (figure 1)
●A spray that goes in the nose (brand name: neffy) (figure 2)
How can I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Get plenty of rest over the next few days, if possible.
●Avoid foods, medicines, or insects you know you are allergic to. If you don't know what caused your allergic reaction, work with an allergist (allergy doctor) to try to figure it out.
If the doctor prescribed epinephrine:
●Fill your prescription as soon as possible.
●Make sure you know how and when to use it.
●Keep it with you at all times. Most doctors recommend carrying 2 doses in case you need a second dose. You might need a second dose if:
•Your symptoms do not go away completely.
•Your symptoms go away, but then start to come back.
•You used an autoinjector that did not work correctly the first time.
If you also have mild allergy symptoms, like itchy skin or eyes, you can use over-the-counter medicines to help with these.
What follow-up care do I need? —
Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment with an allergist. If so, make sure you know when and where to go.
When should I call the doctor? —
Your doctor or nurse will give you instructions on what symptoms to watch for and when to call for help. This is called an "action plan." Make sure you are familiar with your action plan.
Call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1):
●If your anaphylaxis symptoms come back. These might include:
•Having trouble breathing, wheezing, or a cough that won't stop
•Feeling like your throat is closing, or your lips or tongue are swelling
•Feeling very weak or dizzy, or faint
●After you use epinephrine – The medicine does not last very long in the body. Symptoms can sometimes come back as the medicine wears off. In the hospital, doctors can watch you and give you more medicine if needed.
Call your doctor or nurse for advice if:
●You have milder symptoms that do not improve after a few days or get worse – Examples include a rash, congestion, or swelling of the face or lips.
●You have questions about epinephrine or how to manage your allergy.
Patient education: Anaphylaxis (The Basics)
Patient education: Food allergy (The Basics)
Patient education: Peanut, tree nut, and seed allergy (The Basics)
Patient education: Allergy to insect stings (The Basics)
Patient education: Drug allergy (The Basics)
Patient education: Anaphylaxis symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Anaphylaxis treatment and prevention of recurrences (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Using an epinephrine autoinjector (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Food allergy symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Bee and insect stings (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Allergy to penicillin and related antibiotics (Beyond the Basics)
