Our beautiful community of Round Rock, Texas, is home to some intense seasonal pollen. While the sniffles might be annoying, you typically do not need to seek medical care for allergies. However, if you ever have a severe allergic reaction, you may need to go to the ER. If you cannot breathe, are covered in hives, need to use an epinephrine shot, or have extreme stomach pain and dehydration, you should seek emergency care.
When Should You Go to the ER for an Allergic Reaction?
There are several situations when it is necessary to head to the emergency room for an allergic reaction:
1: It is difficult to breathe.
If your throat feels itchy and becomes increasingly worse, even with allergy medications, this is an anaphylactic response. You should head to the nearest emergency room, and administer an epinephrine shot if you have one.
2: You have severe hives.
Hives are a type of skin rash that typically presents as many small bumps. If hives cover more than one third of your body, or if they are severely swollen and over-the-counter allergy medications do not help, seek care right away.
3: You have used your epinephrine shot.
Epinephrine helps keep your body functioning and buys you time to get help. If you have to administer an epinephrine shot, either on yourself or someone else, your next step is to get to the ER. While one dose might be enough, the allergic reaction still needs to be monitored, and a second shot of epinephrine may be needed.
4: You are showing signs of dehydration or have extreme stomach pains.
Some allergic reactions are gastrointestinal, which means they happen in your digestive system. The symptoms of a gastrointestinal allergic reaction are sometimes confused with food poisoning. Vomiting and diarrhea not only put you at risk of dehydration, they can also be signs of anaphylactic shock.
Signs of Severe Allergic Reactions in Children and Adults
The symptoms of an allergic reaction are the same for both kids and adults. However, teens and children are more vulnerable than adults. In fact, a 2020 study found that teenagers aged 13 to 17 are more likely to be hospitalized or die from food-related allergies.
Small children and non-verbal persons also have a higher risk because they are not typically able to communicate their internal symptoms. That’s why knowing the signs of anaphylactic distress is so important. Coughing, wheezing, and swelling of the throat and tongue all indicate anaphylaxis, so if you notice these signs, get that person to the emergency room as quickly as possible.
What Are the Different Types of Allergic Reactions?
Allergic reactions to food, medications, environmental irritants, and insect bites can all cause anaphylaxis, itchy rashes, and even gastrointestinal upset. Allergic reactions can happen at any time, from moments after exposure to hours later. There are three types of allergic reactions:
1: Anaphylaxis
This is the most serious allergy symptom. Anaphylaxis happens when an airway becomes blocked due to swelling of the throat. This can make breathing difficult or even impossible. If not treated promptly, anaphylaxis can lead to death.
2: Hives/Rashes
Allergic reactions often cause a skin rash called hives. An allergic rash looks like a raised patch of tiny bumps that itch and turn white when pressed. Hives can happen anywhere on the body, including inside the throat and airways, so they can cause anaphylaxis. Mild cases of hives can be treated with an over-the-counter allergy medication. However, if the hives become severe, cover more than one third of your body, or if your throat and tongue become itchy and swollen, you should seek emergency medical care.
3: Gastrointestinal Reactions
Some food allergies can cause extreme gastrointestinal (GI) upset. A GI reaction to an allergy looks like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramping, and bloody stools. While many GI allergies can wait for urgent care or a doctor’s appointment, if the stomach pains are severe, if you are showing signs of extreme dehydration, or if there is an excessive amount of blood in your stool, visit an ER right away.
Total Point Emergency Room in Round Rock, Texas
Having an allergic reaction can be a frightening experience for everyone involved. If you or a loved one requires emergency care for an allergic reaction, visit the nearest Total Point ER to receive immediate care. Our facility offers the best emergency medical care on Northwest Highway in Dallas, Texas, and we’re open 24/7.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (7/21/24). Photo by Aaron Scamihorn on Unsplash.