All About Epi Auto-Injectors!
WHAT Are Epi Auto-Injectors?
WHAT Are Epi Auto-Injectors?
WHAT Are Epi Auto-Injectors?
Epi auto-injectors are the gold standard when it comes to immediate treatment for a severe allergic reaction, which is called anaphylaxis. Two popular name brands are EpiPen and Auvi-Q, but there are now generic versions available as well. A prescription is required in order to buy them from the pharmacy, and they tend to expire approxima
Epi auto-injectors are the gold standard when it comes to immediate treatment for a severe allergic reaction, which is called anaphylaxis. Two popular name brands are EpiPen and Auvi-Q, but there are now generic versions available as well. A prescription is required in order to buy them from the pharmacy, and they tend to expire approximately every year... so a yearly appointment with an allergist or physician may be needed to ensure you carry a set of Epi auto-injectors with you at all times.
WHEN To Use The Epi?
WHAT Are Epi Auto-Injectors?
WHAT Are Epi Auto-Injectors?
It's important create a plan with your doctor before a reaction occurs. If a person ingests their allergen and begins reacting, many doctors recommend their patients immediately use an Epi auto-injector to inject epinephrine into their thigh. The epinephrine works fast to calm the body's reaction. Then many doctors recommend the person go
It's important create a plan with your doctor before a reaction occurs. If a person ingests their allergen and begins reacting, many doctors recommend their patients immediately use an Epi auto-injector to inject epinephrine into their thigh. The epinephrine works fast to calm the body's reaction. Then many doctors recommend the person go to the nearest emergency room to ensure the reaction has passed. Speak to your doctor about the right emergency plan for you!
For more information on the topic, I came across an informative article at Health.ClevelandClinic.org called "How and When to Use an EpiPen for an Allergic Reaction" dated March 18, 2022.
WHY Carry Two Epi-Injectors?
WHAT Are Epi Auto-Injectors?
WHY Carry Two Epi-Injectors?
When someone has an initial allergic reaction and treats it with Epi, they are still at risk for a second reaction that can happen between one minute to several hours later, which is called a Biphasic Reaction. If you only have one Epi-injector with you, you can only treat one reaction. You need both in case you have another reaction, whi
When someone has an initial allergic reaction and treats it with Epi, they are still at risk for a second reaction that can happen between one minute to several hours later, which is called a Biphasic Reaction. If you only have one Epi-injector with you, you can only treat one reaction. You need both in case you have another reaction, which is why there is a set of two in every package of Epi auto-injectors. It may be inconvenient to carry both at times, but it is worth it to have that protection.
HOW To Be Prepared!
WHAT Are Epi Auto-Injectors?
WHY Carry Two Epi-Injectors?
Epi auto-injectors are considered a miracle drug, but they still don't work 100% of the time. Never, ever let your guard down and risk eating food that might contain your allergen. Don't be afraid to ask questions to confirm exactly what is in the food you may eat. Speak with your doctor regularly about your allergy plan so you have clear
Epi auto-injectors are considered a miracle drug, but they still don't work 100% of the time. Never, ever let your guard down and risk eating food that might contain your allergen. Don't be afraid to ask questions to confirm exactly what is in the food you may eat. Speak with your doctor regularly about your allergy plan so you have clear understanding on when to use your Epi auto-injector and whether the doctor wants you to call or go to an emergency room afterward. If you do have a reaction, remember the Food Allergy Community's popular phrase:
"Epi First, Epi Fast"
And always, always carry BOTH injectors with you!
A "No Needle" Epi Treatment For Anaphylaxis? YES!
HELLO NEFFY EPINEPHRINE NASAL SPRAYER!
In 2024, The FDA approved the Neffy Epinephrine Nasal Sprayer for children weighing 66 pounds or more, which can be purchased at U.S. pharmacies or online. Allergic Living reported that the prescription comes in a set of two and has a 30 month shelf life!
Our Opinion: We have not tried this product but it sounds like a wonderful option, especially for children or anyone who is afraid of needles. Please speak to your doctor or pharmacist to see if the Neffy Epinephrine Nasal Sprayer it is right for you.
Article Source: "AllergicLiving.com, FDA Approves Neffy Epi Nasal Spray for Severe Allergic Reactions, written by Jennifer Goodwin and Gwen Smith, August 9, 2024."
Food Allergy Stories Making the News
The Truth Can Be Stranger Than Fiction!
Check out some recent Food Allergy stories that have been in the news. They are a mixed bag of surprising scientific discoveries, joyful stories, scary cautionary tales, painful losses, inspirational ideas, creative holiday recipes and more!
Caroline's Favorite Food Allergy Resources
Allergic Living
Allergic Living will always be Caroline's #1 Go To Resource for Food Allergies. They have a full, informative website as well as active social media accounts. This is a great resource for anything that has to do with food or environmental allergies, asthma, updates on current research, useful tips for people with food allergies across all
Allergic Living will always be Caroline's #1 Go To Resource for Food Allergies. They have a full, informative website as well as active social media accounts. This is a great resource for anything that has to do with food or environmental allergies, asthma, updates on current research, useful tips for people with food allergies across all ages, tasty allergy-friendly recipes, cautionary tales to help others avoid pitfalls, and heart-warming stories about people with food allergies rising above their condition to reach their goals in life. Allergic Living has a free quarterly newsletter you can subscribe to on their website.
FAACT
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team. FAACT has an extremely useful website as well as active social media accounts that Caroline follows. You will see a variety of resources on this page, including a focus on people who are newly diagnosed, civil rights advocacy for those with food allergies, and education resources available
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team. FAACT has an extremely useful website as well as active social media accounts that Caroline follows. You will see a variety of resources on this page, including a focus on people who are newly diagnosed, civil rights advocacy for those with food allergies, and education resources available across many areas relating to allergies. They also have a college student resource center, which is of high value to Caroline as her son is nearing college age and all that can bring with it when living with food allergies.
Snack Safely
Caroline was won over by this website when she learned their CEO calls himself the "Blogger in Chief." This page has a wealth of information specific to foods, such as their various Snack Guides which are relevant to specific food allergies (peanut, dairy, gluten, etc). These guides are helpful when reading labels and ingredients, which a
Caroline was won over by this website when she learned their CEO calls himself the "Blogger in Chief." This page has a wealth of information specific to foods, such as their various Snack Guides which are relevant to specific food allergies (peanut, dairy, gluten, etc). These guides are helpful when reading labels and ingredients, which are critical skills for people with food allergies. Snack Safely also share current articles in the news relative to food allergies, and are constantly updating current research in the field. They are active on social media and have a free newsletter you can subscribe to on their page.
No Nut Traveler
No Nut Traveler, Lianne Mandelbaum, was the first social media account Caroline came across when she realized there might be other allergy moms out there. Lianne has active social media accounts where she shares about airline safety for those with food allergies. Lianne is also Allergic Living's airline correspondent and has published man
No Nut Traveler, Lianne Mandelbaum, was the first social media account Caroline came across when she realized there might be other allergy moms out there. Lianne has active social media accounts where she shares about airline safety for those with food allergies. Lianne is also Allergic Living's airline correspondent and has published many articles on the subject. This website has a section where you can share your testimonial/experience of traveling with food allergies.
YOUR Voice Can Be Heard!
Check out Caroline Fleur's YouTube Channel! (click picture to the left!)
Caroline enjoys meeting other Food Allergy families and is able to do that through social media! There are many ways you can share your thoughts and opinions: Email Caroline, Subscribe to Caroline's YouTube channel to comment on her posted videos, Follow Caroline on Twitter & Instagram where many people comment daily! You can also follow many other allergy-related social media accounts, such as Allergic Living. The important thing is to find YOUR voice in a safe way when using technology and social media.
The Food Allergy Nation is NOT Just for People with Allergies!
Caroline believes that an important part of advocating for food allergy awareness is including people without allergies as well. The non-allergic community is crucial to spreading awareness, which in turn helps keep people with food allergies safer. There are so many non-allergic allies out there: Friends, family, classmates, teachers, coworkers, neighbors- who all care about someone in the Food Allergy Community! And we sincerely appreciate and care about them, too!
Find Caroline Fleur and the Food Allergy Nation Here:
YouTube: Caroline Fleur
Twitter: @authorfleur
Instagram: @authorcarolinefleur
Email: caroline@carolinefleur.com
Website: www.carolinefleur.com (you can submit a message)
Caroline has also set up a YouTube video specifically for commenting your thoughts about her weekly allergy blogs or what you see on her websites.
You can find this commenting link by going to YouTube and typing:
"Caroline Fleur Weekly Blog Comments" or use this direct link:
https://youtu.be/x1sZRzIKj8c?si=78kIyWWvwMTyK24I
We would love to hear from you!