What should be given to a patient with severe allergic reactions besides epinephrine?

In cases of severe allergic reactions, particularly anaphylaxis, while epinephrine is the first-line treatment due to its potent ability to rapidly reverse severe symptoms such as airway swelling, hypotension, and bronchospasm, providing supplemental oxygen is crucial as well. Anaphylaxis can lead to airway obstruction and significant respiratory distress, impairing the patient's ability to oxygenate effectively. Therefore, administering oxygen can help prevent hypoxemia and support the patient's breathing during this critical time.

Antihistamines are useful for managing milder allergic symptoms but do not provide the immediate response needed for anaphylaxis. Fluids may be necessary to support blood pressure in some cases, especially if there is significant hypotension, but they are not the primary focus right after epinephrine. Intravenous steroids are often administered later in treatment to help reduce inflammation but do not have an immediate effect like epinephrine and oxygen do. Thus, oxygen plays a vital role in stabilizing the patient during an allergic emergency, making it a key adjunctive treatment.