Sudden widespread rash with breathlessness or faintness can be anaphylaxis: call 120 and say so
Treat a sudden widespread rash plus difficulty breathing or faintness as possible anaphylaxis. Call China's 120 and clearly say “suspected anaphylaxis” so responders bring epinephrine. Antihistamines and steroids act too slowly to replace it. After a previous severe reaction, ask a doctor about an auto-injector and learn to inject the outer-front middle thigh, through clothing if necessary.
What it takes
Calling costs nothing. A prescribed epinephrine auto-injector for someone with known severe allergy costs money.
What you may gain
The guideline strongly recommends epinephrine as first-line treatment for grade II–IV anaphylaxis. Antihistamines and steroids act too slowly to substitute for it.
Context & considerations
This is a strong guideline recommendation with low-level underlying evidence. EAACI explicitly notes that most evidence in this area is very low certainty; the strong recommendation reflects benefits outweighing risks rather than large trials. Epinephrine is prescription-only in China and usually not at hand. Call 120 and identify suspected anaphylaxis. After a severe reaction, arrange a prescription and training for an auto-injector, including thigh placement through clothing.
Research & references
China Medical Education Association and others (2022). A Clinical Practice Guideline for the Emergency Management of Anaphylaxis (2020). Frontiers in Pharmacology. Epinephrine is first-line for grades II–IV; intramuscular injection is into the mid-anterolateral thigh. The cited maximum intramuscular dose is 0.5 mg for adults and 0.3 mg under age 14, repeatable every 5–15 minutes if unresponsive. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.845689; Muraro A, et al. (2022). EAACI guidelines: Anaphylaxis (2021 update). Allergy. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.15032