What is the main treatment for anaphylaxis?

The main treatment for anaphylaxis is epinephrine. This medication acts quickly to counteract the severe allergic reaction by causing vasoconstriction, which helps to raise blood pressure and improve perfusion to vital organs. It also alleviates bronchospasm, thereby improving airway patency, and reduces the release of additional mediators from mast cells and basophils.

While antihistamines and corticosteroids can play roles in the management of allergic reactions, they do not provide immediate relief in anaphylaxis. Antihistamines may help with symptoms such as itching or hives but do not address the life-threatening aspects of anaphylaxis, such as airway obstruction or significant cardiovascular collapse. Corticosteroids, although useful for reducing inflammation over time, take hours to provide their effects and are not suitable for immediate treatment.

Intravenous fluids can be important in managing hypotension that may occur in the setting of anaphylaxis, particularly if there is significant fluid loss. However, fluid resuscitation does not directly address the underlying cause of anaphylaxis and should be considered adjunct to the administration of epinephrine.

Given the rapid action and critical necessity of epinephrine in reversing the life-threatening physiological changes that occur during anaphyl