Medical Emergency
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, do not read this page.
Call 911 (US) or your local emergency number immediately. For anaphylaxis, use epinephrine if available and call 911 — do not wait to see if symptoms improve.
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Allergy and immunology are complex medical specialties. Individual patient circumstances, medical history, comorbidities, medications, and test results are all factors that only a licensed clinician who has examined you can properly evaluate. This website cannot replicate that clinical judgment.
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Always Seek Professional Medical Advice
If you have any questions or concerns about a medical condition, allergy symptoms, or treatment options, seek the advice of a physician, allergist, or other qualified health provider promptly. Do not delay seeking medical care or disregard professional medical advice because of something you read on this website.
Board-certified allergists and immunologists are the appropriate specialists for evaluating suspected allergic conditions. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology maintain physician locators to help you find a local specialist.
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We make every effort to ensure the information on this site is accurate and up to date with current clinical guidelines from recognized medical authorities including the ACAAI, AAAAI, WAO, ARIA, EAACI, and NIH. However, medical knowledge evolves rapidly. Content may not reflect the most recent clinical guidelines, research publications, or regulatory approvals at the time you read it.
Do not rely on this site as a sole source of clinical information. Cross-reference important health decisions with current guidelines and your healthcare provider's recommendations.
Emergency Situations
If you or someone near you is experiencing symptoms consistent with anaphylaxis — including but not limited to:
- Throat tightening, difficulty swallowing, or voice changes
- Wheezing, shortness of breath, or inability to speak normally
- Sudden drop in blood pressure, dizziness, or loss of consciousness
- Rapid spread of hives combined with any systemic symptom
- Abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea combined with any of the above
Call 911 immediately. Administer epinephrine if an auto-injector is available. Do not use antihistamines as a substitute for epinephrine in anaphylaxis. After epinephrine, still call 911 — epinephrine is not a final treatment and biphasic reactions can occur.
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Contact and Questions
For questions about the content on this site, see our Editorial Policy or visit our About page. For medical questions, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.