Before you dive too deep into holiday and winter break cheer, check out this fabulous article, “Food Allergies Prescribed Injectable Epinephrine: Know. Practice. Use. Carry.” written by Anne F. Russell, BSN, RN, AE-C, who is a food allergy educator, board certified asthma educator nursing facility and nursing consultant. Quite honestly, I am not sure of what AE-C means at the end of her title, but all I know is that everything I read from this woman is solid, backed by proof and is flat out good common sense advice and information. She is reminding us to be prepared and to be ready to take action, in the event of anaphyalxis!
photo courtesy of HGTV.com
Anne paints a great story of why we need to be up close and personal with our epinephrine auto-injectors. Sometimes we fall into very untimely denial of when it is time to use epinephrine. She encourages us and walks us through being ready to take action, if needed. At the end of the article she provides her sources and additional links regarding food allergies-something I personally love. One party tip I would like to add is that we have a universal location that we keep our emergency medicine kits while visiting friends: epinephrine is kept at the front door of where ever we are visiting.
The moral of the story is that heading into winter breaks, play dates, parties and socializing, we all need to pause for a moment and make sure we have practiced using our Epi Pens®, know the warning signs of a food allergic reaction and most of all are emotional ready to administer and respond. “Food Allergies Prescribed Injectable Epinephrine: Know. Practice. Use. Carry.” is posted on the Asthma Allergies & Children.com website, which is an amazing allergy and asthma website that is designed to provide information to parents. What makes this website stand out is that it is medically and scientifically based. I love research, facts, stats and the science surrounding food allergies and asthma, therefore, this is my kind of website.
photo courtesy of skreened.com
Be safe food allergy and asthma during winter break from school or time off from work!
Thank you Anne Russell for providing us with an important and highly valuable reminder!
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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!..
We agree with whole-heartedly that our allergy community needs to be “up close and personal” with our EpiPens or epinephrine injectors. 100% need to be completely prepared with an anaphykactic kit. However, many diagnosed with anaphylactic allergies have a false sense of safety using “avoidance” as their rationale. This is seen largely in tweens, teens and young adults who are at greatest risk because carrying anepipen can be daunting or socially inconvenient. What we do know is that unobvious traces can trigger onset of anaphylaxis. For now…until there is a cure, preparedness is our only way to protect and save a life.
Well said! Preparedness is critical. Side note: I don’t now how I missed or forgot that you sell little bottles that will work to hold an antihistamine?!
Thanks for helping support our community with useful tools!
Glad you found them! We will take note so others can find them too! Our little no-leak Nalgene bottles are designed to steamline preparedness for any anaphylaxis kit.
We are glad to be part of this supportive community that exchanges helpful tools and resources and keeps the food allergy mission moving forward:)
AE-C means Asthma Educator, Certified. RN’s certified in their specialty have studied above and beyond, passed a national exam in their specialty and are required to have more than the average amount of continuing education credit, as well as a minimal amount of hours working in that specialty to maintain certification. Proud to have CPAN (Certified Peri-Anesthesia Nurse) after my other initials!
Thanks Bronwyn, us non-medical types need help with all those letters. Glad to see them too!!!! Above and beyond are two words you want to hear about someone who can can be saving your life!