What is the standard treatment for anaphylaxis?

The standard treatment for anaphylaxis is the administration of epinephrine. This is because anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction characterized by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, rapid drop in blood pressure, and hives. Epinephrine works by quickly reversing these symptoms; it acts as a bronchodilator, opening up the airways, and also increases blood pressure by causing blood vessels to constrict.

While antihistamines may provide some relief for allergies, they do not act quickly enough to address the systemic and severe nature of anaphylaxis. Application of a cold compress can help with localized reactions, such as hives or swelling, but it is not effective for the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis. Intravenous fluids may be used in some cases to support blood pressure, but they do not treat the underlying cause of anaphylaxis and are not first-line therapy. Therefore, the use of epinephrine is critical and is viewed as the definitive treatment during an anaphylactic episode.