When you have an allergic reaction, it can sometimes be a serious medical emergency. You can’t just ignore it and hope it goes away. It is important to know the proper steps to take to deal with the reaction. Here are six things to do when you have an allergic reaction.

Take an Antihistamine

If your allergic reaction is fairly mild, you can likely treat it with a simple OTC antihistamine. If you have serious allergies, you may want to get a prescription antihistamine so that you have it on hand in case of a more intense allergic reaction.

Apply a Topical Cream

For mild allergic reactions that occur on the skin, it is a good idea to use a topical cream to treat them. An OTC hydrocortisone cream will quickly reduce the swelling and inflammation of allergic hives and rashes. The discomfort of hives will instantly be soothed with hydrocortisone cream. For more intense cases of hives, a prescription-strength hydrocortisone cream may be needed.

Monitor Your Symptoms

It is important that you monitor your symptoms closely when you have an allergic reaction. Although they it may start out mildly, a rapid progression of symptoms can occur if the reaction is serious. Make sure to keep a close eye on your symptoms for the next few hours after you have an allergic reaction. If the symptoms progress, you may need to seek medical attention.

Visit an Urgent Care Hospital

If you know that your allergic reaction is serious, then you should head to an urgent care hospital to get treatment. A severe allergic reaction is nothing to play around with. It is important to get help as quickly as possible to avoid complications. Heading to an urgent care near me ensures that you get treated right away to avoid trouble.

Call an Ambulance

When an allergic reaction leads to trouble breathing or a tightness in the throat, you need to dial 911 right away. Allergic reactions that are severe enough can close off the windpipe and prevent you from breathing. This could be life-threatening if you do not receive medical attention immediately.

Take a Shot of Epinephrine

If you do have a serious allergic reaction that requires emergency medical attention, the first thing they will most likely do is give you a shot of epinephrine. This magical substance is also known as adrenaline, and an injection of it will stop allergic reactions in their tracks. If you know that you have severe allergies, having a shot of epinephrine on hand at all times could save your life one day.

Allergic reactions can be incredibly scary. This is especially true if you panic because you have no idea how to handle them. To prevent panicking in this kind of situation, it is important that you know all the steps to take to handle it. Use the six tips above to create a plan of attack the next time you need to deal with an allergic reaction.