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What are the symptoms?

The following symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can occur within minutes or several hours after exposure to an allergy trigger:

• Mouth: itching, swelling of the lips and/or tongue
• Throat*: itching, tightness, closure, hoarseness
• Skin: itching, hives, redness, swelling
• Gut: vomiting, diarrhea, cramps
• Lung*: shortness of breath, cough, wheeze
• Heart*: weak pulse, dizziness, passing out (due to low blood pressure)

Within minutes, an allergic reaction may turn into a life-threatening severe allergic reaction. Sometimes the reaction can occur in two phases, with another reaction occurring up to 38 hours after the initial reaction.

In a severe allergic emergency, quick symptom recognition and immediate treatment are vital.

Fatal reactions are due to airway obstruction or a collapse of blood vessels.

It is therefore important to make sure that you are able to understand and recognize the symptoms of a severe
allergic reaction.

The two most common symptoms of a severe allergic reaction are:

• Hives, and
• Swelling (especially the throat, lips, tongue)

Other symptoms can include:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Metallic taste or itching in the mouth
• Generalized redness or itching of the skin
• Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Increased heart rate
• Sudden drop in blood pressure
• Paleness
• Sudden feeling of weakness
• Anxiety, or an overwhelming sense of doom

Video: Signs and symptoms

Watch this video to learn more about the signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction and what you should do.

Note: The EpiPen^® Auto-Injector is not indicated to prevent death associated with anaphylaxis. Because anaphylaxis is a generalized reaction, a wide variety of clinical signs and symptoms may be observed.
*Some symptoms can be life-threatening.