What Happens After Anaphylaxis? A Guide to the Next Steps
Anaphylaxis happens fast. Epinephrine reverses the effects of the allergic reaction, allowing time to get to the emergency room. But even after being stabilized and released from the hospital, full recovery from allergic reactions takes time. The body and mind may still react in the hours — or even days — that follow, so it’s important to monitor how you’re feeling.
“It is a traumatic episode,” says William Reisacher, MD, an otolaryngic allergist at Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. “There’s a period after an anaphylactic reaction where you’re not quite feeling like yourself.”
Fortunately, there are clear steps you can take to protect your or your loved one’s health, manage anxiety, and reduce the risk of future reactions.
Administering epinephrine and getting to the nearest emergency room are critical steps to preventing anaphylaxis from becoming life threatening. Take these additional steps to ensure you stay safe.
Dr. Reisacher compares epinephrine to a pause button that temporarily calms anaphylaxis, but its effects last only about 15 minutes. That’s why he recommends early — and, if needed, repeated — administration of epinephrine, followed by emergency medical care.
Before leaving the hospital, ask for a copy of your medical report. This document should tell you what medications were given to you, what allergens may have triggered the reaction, and how the symptoms may have changed over time.
Share this report with your allergist or primary care doctor, so they can add it to your medical records and order additional tests, if needed.
Epinephrine auto-injectors and nasal sprays are single use, so it’s important to replace them as soon as possible. Always carry two unexpired devices, and ask your pharmacist about auto-refill options to avoid any gaps in protection.
It’s completely normal to feel wiped out after anaphylaxis. Your body went through a major medical emergency, so remember to be gentle with yourself. After a reaction:
A few simple steps can help you avoid future reactions and feel more confident in your response plan.
If you’re not sure what caused the reaction, your allergist can help you figure it out. They may suggest new allergy testing or do a thorough walk-through of what you ate and may have been exposed to before your last reaction. Allergies can change over time, so it’s a good idea to keep up with regular appointments.
If you’re the parent or caregiver of a child with allergies, it can also be reassuring to talk with an allergist about the right level of caution to take, says Sara Voorhees, PhD, an attending psychologist in the division of immunology at Boston Children’s Hospital. “Understanding the real level of risk in different scenarios helps families make informed decisions and reduces the tendency to overavoid,” she says.
Then, make sure to:
Don’t wait until a crisis to get familiar with the device. Watch an online video, use a training device, or ask your doctor to walk you through the steps.
“I show them [how it works] on myself and then let patients try it on themselves, so they get more comfortable,” says Reisacher.
Whether you experienced an anaphylactic reaction yourself or witnessed it in a loved one, the emotional aftermath is real — and normal.
“It’s not just about the person who has the food allergy. It’s about the entire family. It’s the trauma, the stress, the anxiety,” says Reisacher. Here are a few things you can do after anaphylaxis to take care of your emotional well-being.
After a severe allergic reaction, it’s normal to feel shaken up. Give yourself time to process what happened, and remember that every experience helps you learn and feel more in control next time.
If your child had a reaction, remember that they’ll need space to process, too. “Don’t assume that kids are just resilient,” says Reisacher. “Debrief with them. Have a conversation. See if they can open up and share their feelings.”
And if a tough question comes up that you don’t know the answer to, Dr. Voorhees suggests writing it down and asking the allergist at your next appointment.
It’s common as a parent to feel guilty after your child has an anaphylactic emergency, even if you responded exactly as you should have, says Voorhees.
She encourages parents to focus on what went well. “It’s human nature to wonder ‘What if?’ But it’s more helpful to recognize how your preparation and quick thinking protected your child,” she says.
“It’s normal to experience heightened anxiety after an anaphylactic event,” says Voorhees. “But when that anxiety begins to interfere with typical daily activities, it may be a sign that additional support is needed.”
If you notice signs of worsening anxiety — avoiding places or activities, excessive worrying, trouble sleeping or eating — in yourself or your loved one, it may be time to seek support. Voorhees suggests meeting with a mental health professional who understands food allergy–related anxiety.
Every experience — even the scary ones — helps you get stronger and smarter. “It’s a chance to learn,” says Reisacher. “You can go back and ask, ‘What risk did I take that I shouldn’t have? What do I learn from this? How might I apply this episode to help me do better in the future?’”
And remember that allergies are manageable. “You can live a normal life,” he says. “It’s not something that’s going to limit your life, unless you let it.”
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