Deputy helps 4-year-old

The parents of this 4-year-old were unaware that their child had a tree nut allergy, but luckily a deputy knew the signs of anaphylaxis and called for medical help immediately. A happy ending to what could have been a tragic story!


"Within 15 minutes of having taking the first bite of a brownie, that she didn't even like, we were in the back of an ambulance," said Marianne Glaser, Katie Ann's mother. "That's when her lips started swelling, and she broke out in the body hives, and (her nose) just started running and her eyes got red and (there was) facial swelling."

Upstate Deputy Credited For Helping 4-Year-Old

Epi-Inject

Epi-Inject is a new concept for epinephrine autoinjectors which are not yet available on the market.  I like that these not only are equipped with audio instructions but also include a count down timer to help you through the very stressfull situation of giving yourself or someone else an injection during an anaphylactic reaction.

Epi-Inject Article

"The Epi-Inject is a series of both personal and public emergency adrenaline injectors that provide an easy, non-jabbing method of treatment for even the most inexperienced to administer. The personal injector is a small 3-inch by 2-inch device that can be attached to any bag or backpack using the integrated carabiner. Users simply have to press the spring-loaded button and the adrenaline is administered immediately through the injector. The public injector is a larger device designed to be installed at restaurants, schools, parks or any other place where an allergic reaction may occur."

Something to Think About

A couple of days ago I was browsing through a food allergy message board and read a story from a mom whose child had recently had an allergic reaction while at school. While the mom was happy with how the school staff responded and followed the child’s Action Plan (gave EpiPen, called 911, then called the mom) she realized that she had no contingency plan set up for what would then happen regarding her other children.

While we mostly focus our time, energy, and thought into setting up the plan of action for the school to take, do we tend to forget the other factors involved when one of our children has an allergic reaction?

For example…

· Who will pick up your other children at the school, bus stop, or home? Perhaps a neighbor, close friend, or family member? Make a list of people you can rely on to pick up your other children and go over the emergency plan with them.

· Do any of your other children have food allergies? Be sure these friends or neighbors also know what to do in case of an allergic reaction!

· Have all contact phone numbers entered into your cell phone so you aren’t frantically looking through a phone book or trying to remember someone’s number while riding in the ambulance or at the hospital when all you really want to be doing is giving all of your attention to your frightened child having the allergic reaction.

· Give a list of these contacts (with their permission) to the school in case they need to call someone to pick up your other children for you.

· Who will pick you up and drive you home from the ER if you rode in the ambulance with your child? Unfortunately sometimes we are not able to reach our spouses while they are at work.

Can you think of anything else we should be thinking about for an emergency plan? Please feel free to leave a comment!

Food Allergy Printables

Head over to KidsCanHaveFun.com and check out the FREE food allergy labels and posters you can print out. You can print them on sticker paper or laminate them to use as stickers, classroom door posters, or school and lunch bag tags!

Flu Shot and Egg Allergy

The CDC has released new guidelines regarding the influenza vaccine and those affected by egg allergy.

Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011

First Kiss PSA from Anaphylaxis Canada

A Public Service Announcement from Anaphylaxis Canada about the "first kiss" when you have food allergies. Definitely a must have conversation we should all be having with the pre-teen group!

Is Your School Allergy Ready?

FAAN recently sent out to its members this wonderful online training course geared towards managing food allergies and anaphylaxis in the school setting. Check it out and then send the link on to your child's principal and teachers! http://allergyready.com/