How To Recover After An Allergic Reaction

Having a life-threatening allergic reaction can be really scary and traumatizing. Here is a general list of things that I found to be useful in my recovery journey after a reaction. 

*Note that I am not a medical professional, so none of this is medical advice. This is just based on my personal experiences and what I found works best for me. 

The first thing that I recommend is to not try to rush right back into full-blown activities and business right after a reaction. Going through anaphylaxis is incredibly hard on your physical body, but it can also be really mentally taxing. I suggest taking a day or two off to be able to process any feelings and to also just let your body rest. 

I also recommend getting a lot of sleep afterwards. I find after a reaction that I am exhausted because of everything my body has gone through. It is important to listen to your body and what it needs. I tend to stay in bed for a day or two afterwards to give myself the rest that I need.

Sometimes after a reaction, it can feel scary to leave your house because it can feel like there are allergens everywhere, and you may feel a loss of control. This can be really hard to overcome. It is okay to be scared because having allergies is a tough thing, but it is important to eventually overcome the fear and go outside. Give yourself a couple of days to decompress and to process through everything, then you can try and challenge yourself to leave your house. 

I also find that I like to journal out my thoughts and feelings after a reaction. This helps me to ease my anxiety and putting my feelings to paper helps me to process everything that I just experienced. 

However, if you find yourself struggling with severe anxiety or fear about your allergies, I would recommend seeking professional help. Allergic reactions can be incredibly traumatizing and going through something so intense can be quite triggering, so it is important that you go out and get the help you need in order to feel okay. 

After a reaction, I also like to practice self-care. Tending to my body and my mind after I have been through something challenging is so important. I like to eat my favourite snacks, take a bath, play some music, do some light yoga, etc.

I also find it useful to reach out to some of my friends and family for support. I have an amazing group of people in my life who all take really great care of me when I am sick. I have a lot of people send me encouraging messages, send me my favourite meal, and even come and hang out when I am in bed recovering. Talking to people I love makes all the difference after a reaction.