Our friend and fellow food allergy advocate, Gina Mennett Lee launched her monthly Beyond Awareness Educational Campaign (#BAEC4FA) in February and wanted a few collaborators to join her. Sharon Wong, food allergy advocate and blogger at NutFree Wok, and I were excited to come along to support her efforts. We hope that you will help us share these critical topics with others
Your first actions taken during an allergic reaction are the most life saving moments.
When you believe an allergic reaction might be taking place before your very eyes, what do you do? Wait and see if it really is a reaction, give Benedryl™ or Epinephrine, and/or call 911? According to the World Allergy Organization, and the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergies in the United States, “the first line of attack” to stop an anaphylactic reaction is epinephrine.
Knowledge is life saving POWER
Physicians worldwide want patients to know:
- EPINEPHRINE is your first line drug of choice to stop a life threatening allergic reaction.
- Common Epinephrine Auto-Injectors are EpiPen®, Auvi-Q® and Adrenaclick™.
- Note: whenever epinephrine is given, 911 should be called immediately.
- Antihistamines have severe limitations regarding a severe life threatening reaction. The American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) reports that antihistamines are not “adequate substitutes” for epinephrine as they will not reverse the swelling of airways or raise low blood pressure.
Would you toss a cup of water on a burning building? This is an example of using an antihistamine during a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine is the equivalent of a fire hose.
EPI first EPI Fast
The NIH also recommends immediately giving epinephrine at the first sign of an allergic reaction since delay has resulted in “rapid decline and death”, in addition to carrying two epinephrine auto-injectors.
Learn How to Recognize a Reaction
Speak to your physician regarding how to recognize the symptoms of an anaphylactic or life threatening reaction. Not all reactions present in the same manner. In addition to speaking to your doctor, consider reviewing the following resources–even better, review them and share any questions or concerns you may have with your physician.
- For a suspected or active allergic reaction FREE download from Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE).
- Anaphylaxis Symptoms FREE Download from Gina Mennett Lee Consulting
- Review your Emergency Care Plan. Work with your allergist to develop an Emergency Care Plan (ECP) because it is important to know when to use an epinephrine autoinjector and what to do afterwards. If you don’t have an ECP, create one with your allergist.
Move beyond awareness and be prepared for a severe life threatening reaction. Practice with your Epinephrine Auto-injector on a regular basis, be prepared to recognize and respond to a reaction at any time in any location. Work with your physician to confirm your specific plan to management your life threatening allergies. Your actions just might save a life!
We hope you share this information with others as we all work to spread awareness.
The “Beyond Awareness Educational Campaign” was created by Gina Mennett Lee, M.Ed. of Mennett Lee, LLC. The purpose of the campaign is to harness social media to provide necessary education to the public regarding food allergy management. Caroline Moassessi of GratefulFoodie and Sharon Wong of Nut Free Wok have joined the campaign to provide an even greater reach. We hope you will join our effort by sharing the campaigns on your social media outlets. Together we can make a difference.
Disclosure: All opinions expressed are mine and unsolicited by the pharmaceutical companies mentioned.
Surprising Study Results Regarding Auvi-Q
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
The analogy of a cup of water on a fire is a great one in getting the message across that antihistamines are futile in an anaphylactic reaction. So many still believe it should be the first choice (and what we were also told to use by our own allergist many years ago).
Heather, we were told this too. I’m glad the ACAAI is now working hard to let everyone know that antihistamines are not the appropriate first line drug. It was a struggle for me personally when I removed Benedryl from our emergency bag. But, I’m glad I did!
Time is the key! Just do it! Action and being prepared. If we remove the process of assuming to use, and replace that response to knowing to use, there would be many more true hero’s. In honor of my son Joseph DeNicola, as his mother, knowing is the difference. Blessings for your articles meet the needs of saving lives. I love this article, and the message should settle within everyone. Use is not a choice, it is a life. Epi first and fast… Time is the key. With love to you Julianne a Mommy of an Angel..
Julianne, Thank you for your words to all of us. I don’t have a clue as to where you find your strength to help educate others and support the rest of us. Joseph is a sweet angel now, inspiring all of us to do the right things, to not be quiet, but to talk and share about managing life threatening allergies. Bless you for your energy and kindness!
I just posted about this from a teenager’s point of view (again). Please, use my EpiPen on me if you think I’m having a reaction!
http://allergicbutterfly.blogspot.com/2015/04/epi-first-epi-fast.html