Allergies and asthma
Allergies and asthma: a chapter of the First Aid Book, with the steps that help in the first minutes of an emergency.
11 cards · Science
Each Zap teaches up to 5 new cards, so you learn the chapter a few at a time.
Checked by the Brain Zap team · reviewed 27 Oct 2026
Sources: First aid (NHS), First aid advice (British Red Cross), European Resuscitation Council guidelines
Preview
A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction
Show answerHide answer: A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction
Anaphylaxis
Learn more: It can kill within minutes: use their adrenaline auto-injector and call the emergency number at once.
Where to inject an adrenaline auto-injector
Show answerHide answer: Where to inject an adrenaline auto-injector
Outer thigh
Learn more: Press it against the outer middle of the thigh, through clothes if needed, and hold it as its instructions say.
Anaphylaxis no better after 5 minutes: you…
Show answerHide answer: Anaphylaxis no better after 5 minutes: you…
Give a second auto-injector
Learn more: Current guidance: repeat adrenaline after 5 minutes if there is no improvement, while waiting for the ambulance.
Position for anaphylaxis with no breathing trouble
Show answerHide answer: Position for anaphylaxis with no breathing trouble
Lying down, legs raised
Learn more: Standing can make blood pressure crash; if breathing is hard, let them sit up instead.
After anaphylaxis, when do they need hospital?
Show answerHide answer: After anaphylaxis, when do they need hospital?
Always, even if it improves
Learn more: A second wave of symptoms can follow hours later, so they always need to be checked in hospital.
About this topic
An allergy is the immune system overreacting to something harmless. Most reactions are mild, but anaphylaxis can kill within minutes, so it needs adrenaline and an ambulance straight away. Asthma narrows the airways; most attacks ease with the person's reliever inhaler, used the right way. This chapter follows current NHS, British Red Cross and European Resuscitation Council advice on what to do, and on what not to do while you wait for help.
This is a chapter of the First Aid Book. It is no substitute for a first aid course: whenever in doubt, call the emergency number. Each card asks one question, with a hint before you answer and a short reason after.
All 11 cards
A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction
Anaphylaxis
Learn more: It can kill within minutes: use their adrenaline auto-injector and call the emergency number at once.
Where to inject an adrenaline auto-injector
Outer thigh
Learn more: Press it against the outer middle of the thigh, through clothes if needed, and hold it as its instructions say.
Anaphylaxis no better after 5 minutes: you…
Give a second auto-injector
Learn more: Current guidance: repeat adrenaline after 5 minutes if there is no improvement, while waiting for the ambulance.
Position for anaphylaxis with no breathing trouble
Lying down, legs raised
Learn more: Standing can make blood pressure crash; if breathing is hard, let them sit up instead.
After anaphylaxis, when do they need hospital?
Always, even if it improves
Learn more: A second wave of symptoms can follow hours later, so they always need to be checked in hospital.
Food behind many severe allergies in children
Peanuts
Learn more: Peanuts are one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis; check labels and know the person's plan.
First step for a bee sting left in the skin
Remove it quickly
Learn more: The faster it is out, the less venom gets in; then wash and cool the area, and watch for signs of allergy.
Medicine that eases hay fever symptoms
Antihistamine
Learn more: It blocks histamine, but it is far too slow for anaphylaxis, which needs adrenaline.
Classic sound of an asthma attack
Wheezing
Learn more: Airways tighten and fill with mucus, so air whistles through them; some bad attacks are silent.
Best position during an asthma attack
Sitting up, leaning forward
Learn more: Sitting upright and leaning slightly forward makes breathing easier than lying down.
Asthma attack: one puff every 30–60 s, up to how many?
10 puffs
Learn more: NHS advice: one puff every 30 to 60 seconds, up to 10. Call the emergency number if it doesn't help or you're worried.
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