Quick question: Your child just experienced a life threatening allergic reaction, maybe it was their first one? Second one? You’re now walking out of the emergency department what is your next step? Get a refill, go to the allergist, get on the internet, go home and cry, or all of the above? Quick Answer might be: “I’ll download my Anaphylaxis Tool Kit and get some solutions right now! Then I’ll process this diagnosis (and maybe still cry)”.
I am overly confident that you will find the Anaphylaxis Tool Kit critically important too! It’s your guide to the most important steps you’ll ever take after you (or someone who love) experiences a life threatening reaction. This is the data I wished I had received 14 years ago when my son was first diagnosed with his long list of allergens. That feeling of being overwhelmed and lost is still vivid in my mind. It was horrible to say the least. This kit, created in by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is basically an Emergency Department Discharge Kit. It is that all important little instruction book that is going to guide you to your “new normal”.
Disclaimer: Neither FARE nor ACEP asked or paid me to post about their tool kit. I truly feel we all need to review this kit, download it or order a hard copy and make sure we are taking all the necessary steps for managing anaphylaxis. As always, please review the Kit’s information with your physician and never make any changes to your health care plans without your physician’s review and instruction. Every person’s health status differs and what is safe for one person can be dangerous for another.
Now, back to discussing this kit! The Anaphylaxis Tool Kit offers downs of the following information and links with most of this information also available in Spanish.
- Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan
- Allergist Follow Up Reminder
- Epinephrine Prescription Reminder
- Anaphylaxis Advise for Adults
- Tools and Tips for Teens
- Caring for a Child with Anaphylaxis
- Useful Resources
I think this kit alone is going to be a game changer in regards to prevention of future allergic reactions while IMPROVING the quality of life of those managing life threatening allergies. Part of my own personal struggle 14 years ago was the lack of access to information, support and others like me. This kit will point people in the right direction.
Big KUDOS and applause to FARE and the ACEP for creation of this kit and to Mylan®-the makers of EpiPen® for a kind grant to make it possible.
After my son’s diagnosis husband and I bought french fries and sat the by river dumb founded. Then I searched the internet and found FARE (then known as the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network). I learned from a nurse two days later who recognized me from my son’s skin prick test and ran into me at swim lessons. She sat me down for a lesson on food allergies.
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!..
I had already personally experienced being the teacher of a student with severe peanut allergies (his were airborne, as well). Luckily, I had known a lot from meeting with his mom and our school nurse when this boy was in my class in primary and then again in intermediate levels of elementary school. Parent request the second time as I changed grade levels. After finding out, we now had a son with the same allergy, we consulted with the allergist and then I went to our school nurse for more assistance with dealing with the food allergy. This website/blog has been a blessing because it keeps me alert to the constant need to keep my child safe. I don’t want to be the crazy food allergy mom but I also don’t want to be the mom who has the child who almost died due to not being aware and cautious.
Linda, I’m soooo happy to hear that you found your tribe! All of us! I know exactly what you mean. There is a fine line between crazy mom and not doing our job. For me, my food allergy community keeps me in line! I have folks I call with my, “talk me off of the ledge requests”. I will check in and ask if I’m getting too crazy or not.
Thanks for commenting.
I have several foods that will cause an anaphylactic reaction. Bananas are a big one! I have saved my notification of this blog and will be downloading the tool kit to read.
Thank you, as always, for sharing such great information.
Kathryn,
Bananas are tough! Sometimes I think we have it easy that most of my kid’s allergens are part of the top 8. At least the labeling is fairly decent, but banana is rough. Cyrus used to be allergic to lemon and that was really hard to track since manufacturers use lemon not as an ingredient but as manufacturing tool to stop certain foods from browning–thus not being required to be included as an ingredient! I feel your challenges!
The first time I realized bananas were a problem was one afternoon when I had ran home from classes at the local junior college. I was hungry and reached for a banana. Immediately my tongue went numb after just the first bite.
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