A guest says they’re having an allergic reaction. What do I do?
The short answer
Step by step
Say a guest at table 12 says her throat feels tight and her lips are swelling (illustrative).
- Call 911, or point at one person and tell them to call. “You, call 911 now.” Give the restaurant’s address.
- Get the manager to the table. Follow your restaurant’s emergency plan from here.
- Ask if she has her epinephrine. If she does, help her get it out and use it. MedlinePlus says to use it right away.
- Stay with her and keep her calm. Nothing to eat or drink.
- Tell the manager what she ate and drank. The kitchen and the paramedics may need it.
- Meet the paramedics at the door, or send someone to.
Not tax or legal advice, and not medical advice. This is a first-response routine. Your restaurant’s emergency plan and the 911 dispatcher’s instructions come first.
Plain English
Call first
Anaphylaxis symptoms can come on within seconds or minutes, and MedlinePlus calls it life-threatening. Call 911 (or have someone call) as soon as you see trouble breathing, swelling, or fainting. Don’t wait to see if it passes, and don’t try to treat it yourself beyond what the guest or the dispatcher asks.
Signs to watch for
MedlinePlus, the National Institutes of Health’s health site, describes anaphylaxis as a life-threatening, whole-body allergic reaction. Food allergies are one of its common causes. Symptoms come on quickly, often within seconds or minutes, and can include:
- Trouble breathing, coughing, wheezing, or high-pitched breathing sounds
- Swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue
- Trouble swallowing, or slurred speech
- Hives, itching, or red skin
- Chest tightness, a pounding heart, dizziness, or fainting
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Feeling anxious
MedlinePlus lists a very hoarse or whispered voice, or rough sounds when the person breathes in, as a warning sign of dangerous throat swelling.
What MedlinePlus says to do
- Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately.
- Calm and reassure the person.
- If they have emergency allergy medicine, help them take or inject it. Use an epinephrine injector right away if one is available.
- Don’t give anything by mouth if they’re having trouble breathing, and don’t put a pillow under their head if they’re struggling to breathe.
MedlinePlus also covers checking breathing, CPR, and positioning for shock. Leave those to someone trained, or to what the 911 dispatcher tells you.
After the emergency
Let your manager handle the report. Give them the plain facts: the table, the time, what the guest ordered, and what they told you about their allergy. Don’t guess about what caused it.
Preventing it: the allergen rule
Never tell a guest what’s in a dish from memory. Check your restaurant’s allergen chart or ask the kitchen, and tell the manager about every allergy. See food allergens for servers.
Common mistakes
- Waiting to see if the reaction settles before calling 911.
- Offering water or an antihistamine to someone who’s struggling to breathe.
- Handling it alone instead of getting the manager.
- Telling the guest or the paramedics what was “definitely” in the dish without checking with the kitchen.
Official sources
Last verified:
Checked the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia article on anaphylaxis (review date January 20, 2026): causes, symptoms, first aid, and when to call 911.
Still open: What your restaurant’s emergency plan says, and whether your state or city requires restaurants to keep epinephrine or train staff, is not checked here.