Back-to-school is almost here, so I am ordering our Auvi-Q® and EpiPen® carriers, belts and holders right now. The reason? I need time in case the products are not a good fit for my children. Most of the businesses I listed below do not know I’ve written this post, all my thoughts are my own and I was not paid to say anything kind or unkind for that matter! My goal is to share epinephrine auto-injector carrier or holder possibilities. So if you have a favorite that I did not list, please add it to the comments below and I’ll copy it into the body of this post.
Disclaimer: Gratefulfoodie does not endorse or sponsor the products listed below. Nor has Gratefulfoodie been paid to include these products. My goal is to provide you with some ideas of products that might improve life with food allergies. New: I have joined a few affiliate programs and may receive a small commission from a few items listed below–thank you!
Inside view of one part of my daughter’s “stepping out bag” by Epi Essentials that holds her two EpiPen® one inhaler, bracelets and numerous rocks.
For my family, we maintain several different varieties of carriers based on our activity: special events, for school, for sports, hiking, and being in warm weather. Many of the products below also accommodate asthma inhalers too.
carrier from AlertWear.com
Popular Auvi-Q® and EpiPen® carriers or holders…
[unordered_list style=”star”]- Best EpiPen belt is a favorite amongst many food allergy moms. One Spot Allergy sells the OneSpot Allergy in both adult and child sizes. SPECIAL NOTE: OneSpot Allergy is offering a 10% off discount until Sept 30th. Use coupon code BACKTOSCHOOL at check out.
- Allergy Apparel™ is another fabulous, fashion forward and efficient Food Allergy Mom operated company that offers a huge assortment of painfully creative Auvi-Q® and EpiPen® carriers, pouches and belts. I just discovered their Kool Epi Pen® Blanket on this site in addition to a great food allergy awareness lunch box. We hit 106° here in Reno, NV not long ago and my daughter used the Kool Epi Pen Blanket to run errands! My daughter’s favorite carrier is still her bright blue camo belt (she is a tomboy by the way). Allergy Apparel™ also sells some of the cutest allergy awareness clothing that I have seen!
- Epi Essentials™ products are what us girls in my family use when stepping out in style! My daughters carries the Epi Essential Grab and Go bag and I carry the Accessory Case. They are made of gorgeous leather, can hold antihistamine in custom-made bottles and Emergency information cards–besides being so smart-looking. My daughter is not interested in the Auvi-Q®, so we have not tried it out in her handbag but my Accessory Case holds the epinephrine auto-injector just fine.
- Alert Wear sells holders so insanely adorable that I want to place an order to use the holders for other things! Since many of her items are custom-made, you need to order early! Some of their holders are created to accommodate asthma inhalers in addition to both popular epinephrine auto-injectors.
- @Risk Rescue offers some products that have me very interested. I’m in the process of ordering–they are from Canada and do not have online US ordering abilities at the moment. The pouch I’m looking at is one that clips into a binder. At this moment, my son carries his EpiPens® in a pencil-case with EPIPEN written across the front with a Sharpie. @Risk Rescue also sells a full kit that can hold up to 20 EpiPens® for multiple students. I’ll report back on the shipping and ordering process .
- Blue Bear Aware offers epinephrine holders, food allergy awareness tee shirts, books and even labels!
- Activeaide sells several great holders, but our favorites are the hard case style and a hysterical animal carrier. My daughter tested out the animal carrier and LOVED it! I like the hard case to carry my in big mess of a purse. They also sell asthma inhaler pouches and children’s asthma books. My son’s Auvi-Q®fit well in the two carrier just fine but the single carrier didn’t work out.
- Rescue Shot offers colorful ballistic nylon carries to find the Auvi-Q® or any long pen shaped epinephrine auto-injector.
- Preppy Epi’s name just makes me smile! They offer simple and to the point neoprene pouches with nice big labeling.
- Allergy Haven is a sunny, California based company that sells three styles of very hip epinephrine carriers: a tote, a strap and belt. They are quite unique and worth checking out. They even sell a single dose plastic bottles to hold Benedryl and nut free slap bracelets. This site really offers up some unique but useful food allergy items on their Helpful Things page. They offer free shipping on orders over $25 in the continental US.
- Allergy Pack offers a holder that can hold two EpiPen®plus an inhaler. My son uses Allergy Pack holders when he hikes-it’s a family favorite.
- Omaxcare® is all about the active kid, teen and adult. Their options are waste bands style and leg band style. You have to check out their website since there is a photo of lady using the leg band on her thigh! I cracked up as I had a vision of some sexy movie star whipping out her Auvi-Q® from her thigh holster. In reality, for an evening out of dancing for young lady, this might not be bad option!
- Kozy Epi offers carriers, labels and even Allerbling food allergy ID kits. Truly a great place to shop for many food allergy awareness items.
- Allermates sell many styles of carriers, pouches and awareness items. You can even find their items in major US retailers, such as CVS, etc.
- Safety Sacks are an old favorite in my family. We used them mostly when my kids where younger since this sack is clear! My son’s preschool used it to hang his emergency medications on the door frame of the classroom.
- Pillow Sew Cute creates hand crafted pouches that can carry a wide variety of epinephrine auto-injectors and other medications or items.
- SPIbelt is one that is new to me. They offer a variety of Small Personal Item belts (hence the name) and there is one variety specifically that is for kids and adults that looks like it will work for Epi Pens. A parent below mentioned this belt and I have vague memory of another friend using this product too.
- [/unordered_list]
Full view of the EpiPen®
Please share your favorite Auvi-Q® or EpiPen® carrier or holders! The more information we share together the better life becomes!
p.s. We always carry two epinephrine auto-injectors in our family–in case there is a second reaction or emergency medical response is delayed!
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!..
Thank you Caroline for posting this information. It was only a few years ago that a ziplock bag or a traditional larger fanny pack were the two readily available methods for keeping an anaphylaxis kit on hand! Look at our community now! We are so happy that there is such wide variety of allergy-conscious products (in addition to carry cases)…now, there’s something for everyone!
Dana,
I’m just so pleased that we have more elegant choices. I remember for years, my son carried a backpack to weddings. He was too young to fit his EpiPens in his pocket and didn’t want us carrying them either. So the purse for my daughter was very, very welcomed!
Just in time as we were looking at the different options to get our orders in for school! There are some great options out there, will share!
A great and timely post! Another option for parents and kids is Blue Bear Allergy Aware. Currently operating out of British Columbia, Canada, but as of September will be in Houston, TX.
Thanks Heather! I receive Blue Bear Aware emails and simply missed this source. I will add them in right away! Again, thanks for the heads up!
Insulated Epipen Case
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keep your child, and your epipen’s safe. This insulated pouch is perfect for toting your much needed eipens in style.
– Size is aprox. 7″ x 7 1/2″
– Insulated batting helps to regulate and maintain temperature
– Clear ID pouch on each side of case
– Instructions of use one side
– Name, Allergies, and Contact information on other side of bag
– Tag with medical logo, ensures it is easily identifiable
– Loop for you to add keyring or carabiniere makes it easy to clip into child’s bag
– Zipper closure with pull helps maintain temperature, ensures contents are secure, and allows for fast easy access in an emergency
– Case has two sections, one that will hold 2 Epipen’s and the other will hold liquid Benadryl, or an inhaler.
– Scotch Guarded, and machine washable
Hi Pam,
Which company sells the insulated bag you mentioned above? I think it might be Tuff Bags or is there is a different source? It looks great!
Hi Caroline!
Dymant Designs sells the bags. Here are the links:
Insulated Epipen Cases:
http://etsy.me/ZJpU8K
Insulated AuviQ Cases:
http://etsy.me/17y1GqP
Let me know if you have any questions!
Thank you Pam! I just added the ETSY link! These are adorable! I really should just create an adorable EpiPen and Auvi-Q holder section!
Appreciate your addition! Have a nice weekend.
Thanks Caroline!!!!
Hi Caroline!
Dymant Designs sells the bags. Here are the links:
Insulated Epipen Cases:
http://etsy.me/ZJpU8K
Insulated AuviQ Cases:
http://etsy.me/17y1GqP
Let me know if you have any questions!
tuff bags has the insulated AND weather/water proof cases too and also on etsy.
my company has insulated and weather/water proof cases with many options. I also sell them on etsy here
https://www.etsy.com/shop/racheltreasures/search?search_query=epi+pen&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
thanks,
Kate
Thanks again Kate,
These are exactly what I am personally looking for! Today was the first day of school and My daughter has a whole new protocol for carrying out on the yard. Her current carrier doesn’t scream “emergency medicine” bag like I would like.
Thank you!!! I’ll be ordering up tonight!
Thank you Homa, of http://ohmahdeehness.wordpress.com/ for reminding me about Safety Sack! We used it for years!
Thanks so much for this post! My child is starting 1st grade this year and will be self carrying for the first time. So I have been shopping around. Your post has really helped me (or confused me because there are too many cute choices).
I was also recommended to the SPI belt, but I don’t see that one on the list. I’d love to hear what you think of it. http://www.spibelt.com
Thanks again.
Chrissy, what a great find! Thanks for sharing. I will add the http://www.spibelt to our list above. I liked the waterproof one! That would be great for hiking near creeks, rain, camping and such!
Appreciate you helping out our growing list.
Thank you for including the Best EpiPen Belt in your list, Caroline! Now through September 30th, coupon code BACKTOSCHOOL saves 10% off all products on http://www.onespotallergy.com. I love that there are now so many great ways to carry epinephrine, compared to the rigid and uncomfortable carrier we started with several years ago, to ensure that two doses of epinephrine are always within reach.
Thank you Elizabeth for offering the discount to our readers an food allergy community!!!
UPDATE: The correct link to use for the Onespot Allergy belts is now http://blog.onespotallergy.com/store and coupon code ONESPOT saves 10%.
If this is for back to school, don’t forget the case you leave for your nurse! Too often medications are lost in a sea of ziplock baggies containing medicine for each student. I like MyMedPax.com or Medpac.co.uk, both keep medicine in an easy to spot case with a place for an allergy action plan and identification of your student. Good things!
Wondering if anyone has tried the icy diamond gear. Looks like made to hold diabetes meds. Obviously wouldn’t use the cold pack but the insulation seemed nice and thick to keep out heat/cold. The small size should fit the auvi-q.
Thanks Caroline for the shout out for AlertWear from Love Bugs Co. !!
Sorry for the double post. Never know what my cell phone will do 😉
Thanks Caroline for the great shout out for AlertWear from Love Bugs Co. So many awesome cases available from different companies!
Ann, I am fan! I love your work, your approach, just the whole package. I always do a double take when a product is produced by someone who truly is an expert. They understand the small details and make changes that designers might miss. Keep up the good work.
Thank you 🙂 I don’t consider myself an expert.. just a momma on a mission! I am learning more and more everyday about sewing and designing and these kiddos never cease to amaze me with their creativity for creating fun designs. Bless you for highlighting the need to self-carry at such a crucial time! Elizabeth from One Spot once said that help should be running TO your child, not away for Meds! I could not agree more. Whatever it takes to get kids (and adults) to wear their meds… do it.
Ann,
Good comment from Elizabeth. You are right…running TO and not away. I do hope there will be a day that there is some sort of a cure and then we’ll be running to picnics and fun times instead.
This is an awesome list Caroline! I have to show those adorable owls to Kylie – it will drive her nuts! While shopping yesterday she got so frustrated and proclaimed, “what’s with all of the owls everywhere!” Hehe 🙂
Nice Alisa! Love it! Tell her I just broke my favorite owl salt and pepper shakers…I’m still crying and sneezing. Cleaning up black pepper is not good.
I am the designer and owner of Tuff Bags. Our epi pen cases are not only insulated but are also weather proof and virtually water proof. We offer waist wear, an optional sling strap for over the chest wear and we also offer a totally waist wear epipen case. Our carriers protect and keep your vital medicines safe and insulated under most normal conditions. I have made my personal recommendations of how to care and carry your epi pens or auvi-q dispensers as I, the owner, have had to carry epinephrine for 30 years and have raised a child that has had to for 20 years.
thanks,
Kate
Kate,
Thanks for the better details! I included Tuff bags in the list above, but your data is much better!
thanks so much Caroline!
I just placed my order! Wahooo! I think I’m beginning to buy as many carriers as I have in purses!
thanks so much Caroline!
Forgive me, this is my first time looking into carriers for my son’s epipens, but aren’t the “SPIbelt” and “the best epipen belt” the exact same product?
Hi Angel,
I don’t believe so. They are two different companies and OneSpot only sells Epi Pen carriers. The other day I realized that we now own several carriers for the various outings!
Some for school, hiking and going out!? How old is your child. Size does make a different too!
Share back with us which one you chose!
They are the same…. I ordered a belt from Onespot and they sent me a Spibelt. Wish I had known, would’ve just bought the Spibelt from a local store instead at a cheaper price.
I didn’t know. Thanks for sharing that information. Is the belt working for you? Do you like it?
Onespot Allergy belts are now made in house (not by Spi-belt). They have extra durable fabric now and a new lower price, and I’m very happy I was able to offer those improvements.
Thanks for this list – I just found your site, but it looks like you have tons of great insights here.
I’m Canadian and I’ve been buying from the following:
http://www.kozyepi.com/
Their carriers are neoprene and have lots of belting and clipping options. They sell for both EPI pen and Allerject . . .
Thanks!!
Thanks for sharing! I forgot about Kozi Epi
This is the site we will be ordering from Shannon. I am quite excited as is my daughter to get her new carrier in the top one of three that she chose. (She doesn’t know she will be getting the other two she picked out as well but not until Christmas 😀 ).
Hello,
I just wanted to send a huge thank you to Caroline for making this list. My 8 y.o daughter has been wearing out her epibelts within two months & I was in search of a new more durable belt for her active lifestyle & found this list to be exactly what I needed to help me. Come this December 2013 it will be a year since her first severe allergy reaction so shopping for new items & trying to support Canadian based companies was hard to find when most searches brought up US based companies as they were alot more popular and well known. So thank you.. Much appreciated. 😀
Amanda
So happy to hear you found our little community! Yes, there are several awesome Canadians resources! KoziEpi, Blue Bear Aware and OneSpot Allergy. Also, OneSpot Allergy has a link to an impressive training video regarding responding to anaphylaxis.
Happy shopping!!!
Okay, who knew that we would ever get excited about new Epi Pen belt designs?
Life takes us to interesting places!
Great list of some really good products that help keep us secure and safe. Please don’t forget about the Epissentials EpiPen holder that can be found at allergyessentialsusa.com:)
Thanks for sharing this to my Best of 2013 link-up, Caroline! These are great! I especially love the owls. Too cute! It is so nice when kids have a fun way to carry something that they may feel a bit weird or out of place carrying. I think it makes them feel special, and that’s always a good thing! 🙂
Truly this has been my best non-news like post. We all need some style and practical solutions!
Hi Caroline, thank you for taking the time to put all this information together! I think I may be having a problem though. In many of the paragraphs on the list where I believe the company name/link should be, there is just the name/link to Epipen or Auvi-Q, and just brings me to the pen website. Is this my issue? A couple of the vendors show up but not many.
Thanks for the heads up! I will go fix this. Not sure what happened?
hi caroline-i was wondering if you kept your cooling blanket in the refrigerator or just room temperature?
if in room temperature, does the blanket keep the epi pen cool enough in very hot temperature ? tks.
Sometimes I do put in the fridge, but only for about 15 minutes to get cool. My house often gets hot. The goal is to keep everything at room temp, but the best thing to do is to contact Allergy Apparel for tips on our various climates and the best way to use the Kool Blanket.
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Do you know if any of these cases are child-proof? I know that Safety Sack is child-resistant, but I am trying to find something that your average young elementary-aged student could not open but an adult could. The Safety Sack is better for toddlers.
Thanks!
Rebecca,
I believe the Safety Sack is the only one. But…I would visit AllergyApparel.com and ask Theresa Green, the owner for ideas. She truly seems to have a full pulse on what is out there. There is one more that is secured, but it’s a wall mounted model. Would that work for you?
Thanks so much for the response. Wall mounted won’t work. I’m trying to find something that will pacify the school enough to allow my kindergartener to self-carry on the bus. It’s that, or go without epi for the bus ride. I will try Theresa; thanks for the recommendation.
Darn! I will post your question in a closed support group leader group…will let you know if I hear anything
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My daughter just started kindergarten in a really large, public school (K-8) in CT and the principal is giving pushback (presumably for liability reasons )against her keeping extra epi-pens in her backpack. I have always trained her to make sure she has some with her or at least in her classroom and when she comes and goes from school – the nurse (way on the other side of the school!) will have 2 epi-pens for her in an emergency.
What do other parents do in this situation? Right now, I feel reckless and stressed out even sending her! I’m looking for a carrier or happy-medium storage situation that will appease the powers that be. Any suggestions out there?
Thank you!
WB
Hi Whitney, welcome to our stressed out club! We all feel this way at the beginning of school and the reasons change. For my children, our school maintained two EpiPens hung high up on a hook in a red bag labeled Emergency Medicine Kit with my child’s name on it. The school did not feel good about the EPI being anywhere in reach of a child who could accidentally grab the medication. My daughter only started carrying it in her backpack during 4th grade. Do you have 504 plan in place? You can work out where the Epi pens will be stored in the classroom. Also, will the teacher bring those outside during recess and lunch breaks? My daughter is old enough now to wear hers when they go outside. Thanks for your kind words too! You can email too if you have more questions: caroline@gratefulfoodie.com
Hi, Caroline.
Thanks so much for your help. Until now, I had not even heard of a 504 plan. I hate to go on what might be construed as an adversarial route with the school. But it’s hard when the pediatrician is saying she should have her epi-pens “immediately accessible” and we are stuck with them in the nurse’s office in the other part of the school. The irony that older children, who are able to “self-carry”, are afforded a higher level of medical protection in an emergency is not lost on me. It seems starkly wrong.
I contacted a food allergy advocate and hope to get more guidance, possibly on a 504 plan. Why do we parents have to be made to feel like we are overreacting all the time???
Thank you.
Whitney,
Excellent move on contacting a food allergy advocate. My allergist told me that I didn’t feel crazy then I wasn’t doing my job. He said that I will feel over protective, etc. He was right. So, this means you are doing your job just fine! Good job Food Allergy Mama!
In Ontario, Canada the public school system requires children to wear their Epipens at all times. My kindergartener wears his and has since he was four. He is capable of informing others why he has it and the safely concerns that surround it. He is mature enough to understand that his carrier is never to be opened unless it’s by an adult in an emergency situation. That being said, whether a child is ready to wear one depends on each child.
My son wears a children’s SPIbelt – they are available widely in the USA.
Keep advocating for your daughter. We have to learn not to feel guilty — it’s the school that should feel guilty for not keeping her meds available to her!
That’s right — we have to unfortunately be the crazy parent but at least we know they will be safer.
Thanks for the abundant epi pen pouch choices. I looked at all of them. I wanted a quality product for a low price because I am buying four pouches. I found what I wanted with preppy epi.
THANK YOU
Have you guys come across EpiCase.ca?
Sounds like a product that might be interesting: actively regulates temperature as opposed to just an insulated hot/cold pack.
Could you let me know what that one is like?
Concerned as my son’s epipen froze when out camping last winter, even though he kept in on his person, in his jacket pocket.
Thanks,
Excellent resources and post here, Caroline. here’s another one for you:
My tall PortaPocket pocket fits 2 EpiPens and you can wear it almost anywhere on your body. Medium PortaPocket pocket will fit the Auvi-Q. It’s massive multi-functional….you can wear PortaPocket for ANYthing you want to hands-free carry that’s small and vital that you need everyday.
web is http://www.portapocket.com
hope this helps!
xo
Thanks Kendra! Appreciate your adding to our list.
Thank you! We just found my toddler’s peanut allergy, I had no idea how to carry the epi pen. This was very helpful.
Hi Vickie,
check back on Monday! I am updating the list. Welcome to our food allergy world. Managing a life threatening disease can feel overwhelping at times, but the good news is there is an army cheering you on! We are all here for as you embark this journey.
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