Signs You’re Having an Allergic Reaction
& Need To Go To The ER
When to Go to the ER for an Allergic Reaction
Allergic reactions are a common occurrence, with millions of people experiencing them each year. While most allergic reactions are mild and can be managed at home with over-the-counter medications, some reactions can be severe and require immediate medical attention. Here are some of the signs that indicate you might be having a severe allergic reaction and why it is essential to visit the emergency room when these symptoms arise.
Anaphylaxis Symptoms: Difficulty Breathing & Rapid, Weak Pulse
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. One of its hallmark symptoms is difficulty breathing. This can be experienced as sudden shortness of breath, wheezing, or a tight feeling in the chest. When your body encounters an allergen, it can trigger an immune response that causes your airways to narrow, limiting oxygen flow.
Another symptom of anaphylaxis is a rapid but weak pulse. The same immune response that affects your airways can also impact your cardiovascular system, causing your heart to race while your pulse feels weak. It’s also common to feel lightheaded or faint. If these symptoms occur, it’s crucial to get immediate medical attention. Visiting the emergency room at this point can potentially save your life.
Severe Allergy Indicators: Face, Lips, or Tongue Swelling
Severe allergic reactions can lead to significant swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat. This type of swelling, known as angioedema, happens when the body’s immune system responds to an allergen and causes fluid to accumulate under the skin. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s essential to act quickly.
Angioedema is concerning because it can block your airways, leading to breathing difficulties. Moreover, it can progress rapidly, possibly extending to the airway’s lining and lungs, turning into a life-threatening situation. If you experience these symptoms, a prompt visit to the emergency room is highly advised.
Heart Response: Rapid or Weak Pulse
A severe allergic reaction can affect your cardiovascular system, leading to a rapid or weak pulse. When your body encounters an allergen, chemicals like histamine are released into your bloodstream, affecting your heart rate and blood pressure.
As a result, you may feel your heart racing or experience lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting. This condition indicates a severe allergic reaction affecting your cardiovascular system and requires immediate medical attention. In such scenarios, an immediate trip to the emergency room is essential to prevent potential complications.
Skin Reactions: Hives or Widespread Rash
A widespread rash or hives can be a sign of a severe allergic reaction. When your body reacts to an allergen, one of the most visible symptoms can be a skin reaction, which can take the form of hives, a rash, or red and itchy patches that spread across your body.
If you develop hives or a rash that spreads rapidly, it’s crucial to get medical attention immediately. The spread of a rash or hives across your body can indicate a systemic reaction that may have other, less visible, but more severe symptoms.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Nausea, Vomiting, or Diarrhea
Severe allergic reactions can also manifest in the form of gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you experience these symptoms shortly after exposure to an allergen, it’s important to take them seriously, as they could indicate a severe allergic reaction.
Furthermore, when gastrointestinal symptoms coincide with other symptoms like difficulty breathing or a rapid, weak pulse, it could be a sign of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. In such cases, immediate medical attention is crucial.
Neurological Symptoms: Confusion or Loss of Consciousness
Severe allergic reactions can also have neurological symptoms like confusion or loss of consciousness. A lack of oxygen from restricted airways and a drop in blood pressure can affect the brain, leading to these symptoms.
Allergic reactions can range from mild nuisances to life-threatening emergencies, and most can be managed with the right medical care. However, for the more severe ones you need to visit the ER, especially if you suspect anaphylaxis.
At The Emergency Center, our board-certified emergency medicine physicians provide compassionate emergency care that is quick and efficient, allowing our patients to return home sooner and when their allergic symptoms are under control. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, do not hesitate to come to The Emergency Room right away. We can provide up to 23 hours of Observation, on-site lab testing, IV medications, and more, 24/7 with little to no wait.
The Emergency Center
San Antonio
11320 Alamo Ranch Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78253
Phone: 210-485-3644
