You may experience an allergic reaction to food, medication, insect sting or something in the environment. An allergic reaction occurs when your body perceives a threat and produces antibodies that can create uncomfortable symptoms, including itchy eyes, sneezing, rash, or in severe cases, oral swelling and difficulty breathing. While most allergic reactions are mild and can be managed at home, if you have trouble swallowing or breathing, call 911 immediately, as this type of reaction can be life-threatening.
Step 1
Remove the allergen, if possible. If you are allergic to pollen and you experience symptoms, go indoors, change your clothes and wash your hair to remove pollen from your body. Leave the area if a cat or dog is aggravating your allergy. Remove a bee stinger by scraping it out -- do not pinch the stinger, as this will release more venom.
Step 2
Apply cool compresses to a rash or itchy eyes. This can reduce swelling and relieve itching.
Step 3
Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to a rash. If you are very itchy, an oatmeal bath may provide cooling relief. Add oatmeal-based bath powder, sometimes called colloidal oatmeal bath, to lukewarm water in the bathtub, following the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure to rinse yourself well with clear water afterward.
Step 4
Take an over-the-counter antihistamine. These medications block your body's histamine response and can temporarily relieve your symptoms. You may need to repeat the dosage at the recommended intervals if your symptoms return after the medication wears off.
Step 5
Treat severe reactions immediately. Use your inhaler if you have allergy-induced asthma. If you have had an anaphylactic reaction in the past, use your injectable epinephrine as directed by your allergist and call for emergency medical help.
Step 6
Talk to your doctor about allergy testing if you do not know what is causing your symptoms. An allergist can test your blood or perform a skin test to find out what you are allergic to.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are often bothered by allergic symptoms, ask your doctor whether allergy shots are a good option for you. Allergy shots introduce a small amount of the allergen to your body on a regular basis, allowing you to build up a tolerance to the offending substance over time.
- You may have a mild allergic reaction once, then a more severe allergic reaction the next time you are exposed to an allergen. If an allergy seems to be getting worse, seek prompt medical care.
Things You'll Need
- Cool compress
- Hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion
- OTC antihistamine
- Prescription medications (optional)
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