What is often the first line of treatment for anaphylaxis?

The first line of treatment for anaphylaxis is epinephrine. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can lead to life-threatening symptoms, including airway swelling, difficulty breathing, and cardiovascular collapse. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is a hormone that acts quickly to counteract these symptoms.

When administered, epinephrine works by causing vasoconstriction, which helps to elevate blood pressure and improve perfusion to vital organs. It also relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, which helps to alleviate airway obstruction and improves breathing. Additionally, epinephrine reduces the release of further chemicals from mast cells and basophils, minimizing the allergic response.

While antihistamines, glucagon, and corticosteroids can have roles in allergy management or other conditions, they do not serve as first-line treatments for anaphylaxis. Antihistamines can help with milder allergic reactions but do not provide the immediate reversal of life-threatening symptoms. Corticosteroids are typically used for prolonged treatment and can help prevent a delayed reaction but are not effective in the acute setting. Glucagon may be used if a patient is on beta-blockers and has a poor response to epinephrine, but it is not a primary treatment for anaphyl