TempoLife › First aid guides › anaphylaxis
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
A rapid, life-threatening allergic reaction.
In an emergency, call your emergency number first — 112 across the EU. This is general information, not a substitute for hands-on first-aid training or professional medical care. If you are unsure, call for help and follow the dispatcher's instructions.
When to use this
Suspect it with sudden swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, a widespread rash, or collapse after a trigger such as food, a sting or medicine.
Step by step
- Call 112 immediately and say you think it is anaphylaxis.
- If the person has an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen), help them use it straight away into the outer thigh, following its instructions.
- Help them into a comfortable position: lying down with legs raised, or sitting up if breathing is hard. If unconscious but breathing, use the recovery position.
- If there is no improvement after about 5 minutes and a second auto-injector is available, it can be used.
- Stay with them and be ready to start CPR if they stop breathing normally.
What not to do
- Do not let them stand or walk around.
- Do not delay adrenaline waiting to "see if it settles".
Emergency numbers
112 reaches emergency services across the European Union and much of the world, often even without a SIM or signal from your own network. Some countries keep additional local numbers.
| Where you are | Emergency number |
|---|---|
| European Union & EEA (incl. Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania) | 112 |
| United Kingdom | 999 (112 also works) |
| United States & Canada | 911 |
| Australia | 000 |
| New Zealand | 111 |
Other first-aid guides
Adult CPR
What to do when an adult is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
Choking (adult)
Clearing a blocked airway in a responsive adult.
Severe bleeding
Controlling heavy bleeding while help is on the way.
Burns and scalds
First aid for heat burns and scalds.
Heat stroke
A life-threatening overheating emergency.
Hypothermia
Warming someone who has become dangerously cold.
Source: Steps paraphrase widely-accepted guidance from bodies such as the European Resuscitation Council and national Red Cross societies. General information, not a substitute for training. · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
When should I use this?
Suspect it with sudden swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, a widespread rash, or collapse after a trigger such as food, a sting or medicine.
When must I call emergency services?
As early as you safely can. Across the EU that is 112. For anyone unresponsive and not breathing normally, call first (or have someone call) and start CPR straight away.
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