01/10/2026
⏰ Symptoms of anaphylaxis usually happen rapidly and can be life-threatening. Anaphylaxis happens when your or your child’s body has a serious reaction to something you or they are allergic to.
🚩 Any one or more of the following symptoms may be present - these are often referred to as the ABC symptoms.*
🌬️ Airway - swelling in the throat, tongue or upper airways, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing
😮💨 Breathing - sudden onset wheezing, breathing difficulty, noisy breathing, persistent cough
🤒 Circulation - dizziness, feeling faint, sudden sleepiness, confusion, pale clammy skin, loss of consciousness or collapse
🚑 Any of the ABC symptoms may lead to collapse and unconsciousness and, on rare occasions, can be fatal.
🩸 In extreme cases there could be a dramatic fall in blood pressure. The person may become weak and floppy and may have a sense of something terrible happening.
🚨 This Anaphylaxis Awareness Week, take a few minutes to check out all of the resources and advice at AnaphylaxisUK, particularly if your child suffers from severe allergies or if they have a friend or classmate who does.
🧸 If you work with children or young people, take a look at our Workplace first aid courses, including our two-hour auto-injector workshop if you would like to learn more about dealing with severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
💻 You can also find information about our new Allergies & Anaphylaxis training for school professionals on our website in the awareness classes tab.
*Source: AnaphylaxisUK
