Allergic reaction
Advice for Parents and Carers
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- Feeling of tightness in the chest or throat
- Swelling of the mouth, face, tongue or lips
- Breathing fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink
- Harsh noise as they breathe in (stridor)
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs (recession), or noisy breathing (grunting)
- Breathing that stops or pauses
- Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
- Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
- Has a fit (seizure)
- Has a rash that does not go away with pressure (the ‘Glass Test’)
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following:
- Itchy skin or a raised rash (hives)
- Tingling of mouth
- Dry skin, lips or tongue
- Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
- They are having allergic reactions frequently or you are not sure what they are allergic to
- Getting worse and I am still worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to
either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features
If none of the above features are present
- Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
- If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111
Survey for parents/carers - what was the outcome of you looking at this page?
This guidance is written by healthcare professionals from across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.