Take Action: Managing Severe Allergy + Anaphylaxis

Are you prepared?

Are you prepared?

Severe allergies can strike at unpredictable times. Are you ready? When it comes to being prepared—prevention is best. Avoidance of allergens that could trigger a life-threatening reaction is the first step in your plan. But hidden triggers abound—here are some you might not know about.

Read Labels.

Read Labels.

Every time you go shopping, be sure to read the label of everything you place in your grocery cart. While new labeling food laws have made it easier to spot allergy triggers, for example, food product labels now have to list if they have an ingredient that may be an hidden allergy trigger in disguise, i.e. labels must now say "egg" instead of just "albumin" (which is an egg by-product). Labels also have to list the specific nuts or seafood in a product. But even if you've bought something before, read the label again. You never know when ingredients might change.

And make sure to check more than just food labels.

And make sure to check more than just food labels.

Some face creams, body lotions, hair care products, soaps, and medications can also have food products—like tree nuts or milk—that could trigger severe allergies. Salad dressing could be made with soybean oil. A hot dog may contain milk protein. Soy sauce contains wheat.

Here are a few sneaky places where allergic substances may lurk beyond the purview of labels.

Here are a few sneaky places where allergic substances may lurk beyond the purview of labels.

It makes sense to avoid foods or products that contain something to which you are allergic, but sometimes even the most careful run into challenges. Labels don’t always tell the whole story. Soy protein, milk casein, and pineapple may be used in microwave popcorn—but you won’t find them listed as ingredients. You’ll see the catch-all term “natural flavoring” or “flavoring” instead. And the terms “emulsifier” and “binder” may mean that egg or soy are in the product.

But what to do if you have an unexpected severe allergic or anaphylactic reaction?

But what to do if you have an unexpected severe allergic or anaphylactic reaction?

Anaphylaxis (pronounced an-a-fi-lak-sis) is a serious allergic reaction that comes on quickly, that has the potential to become life-threatening. There a number of signs and symptoms that may occur alone or in combination, after exposure to the allergen. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical treatment, which generally includes an injection of epinephrine, and a visit to the emergency room. Anaphylaxis can be fatal if not treated properly! If you or someone you know is at risk for severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, two epinephrine auto-injectable devices, like an epi-pen, must be carried at all times.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis

Symptoms of anaphylaxis

During anaphylaxis, airways may narrow or even close, making breathing difficult. Here are the critical signs of anaphylaxis: Respiratory: difficulty breathing, wheezing, throat constriction, shortness of breath, Circulatory: heart palpitations, low blood pressure, fast heart rate Skin: itching, facial swelling, rashes and hives, blue skin from poor circulation Whole body: slurred or impaired speech, swollen tongue, difficulty swallowing, mental confusion, loss of consciousness

If you are at risk for severe allergies, you need an action plan.

If you are at risk for severe allergies, you need an action plan.

A severe allergy or anaphylaxis action plan is a step-by-step guide that you can give others to guide them through the proper steps to take if you or your child experiences a severe allergic or anaphylactic reaction. A typical allergy action plan will include the following: a. List of allergies b. Minor symptoms to keep an eye on c. Serious symptoms that require immediate treatment d. Detailed instructions for treatment and when to call for emergency help

Here’s why an allergy action plan matters.

Here’s why an allergy action plan matters.

An action plan could save your life, or the life of your child. Here’s the deal: when a serious allergic reaction happens—it’s immediately after being exposure to the allergen—and time is critical. The person experiencing the severe allergic reaction may not be able to explain what is happening in the moment; a detailed severe allergy action plan takes the guesswork out of handling the situation—and provides clear steps as to what to do. This could save your life, or the life of someone you love.

If you or your child is experiencing symptoms of severe allergy or anaphylaxis, here are some steps to take:

If you or your child is experiencing symptoms of severe allergy or anaphylaxis, here are some steps to take:

a. Eliminate all risk of additional allergen exposure b. Call 911 and seek medical care immediately. c. Administer epinephrine. d. After epinephrine has been given, you or the person having the allergic reaction should lie down with legs raised to restore blood flow to vital organs. e. Administer secondary medications to help restore normal breathing, like an asthma inhaler, and antihistamines to relieve hives and itching.

Who should get the action plan?

Who should get the action plan?

If you are the one with the severe allergy, develop the action plan for family members, coworkers, and others you interact with on a regular basis. If your child has the severe allergy, the action plan should be given to teachers, caregivers, and anyone else your child spends time with. When your child is old enough, it’s critical that they know the details of their allergy action plan, and know how to administer emergency epinephrine in the case of severe allergic reaction.

Defense is the best offense with severe allergies.

Defense is the best offense with severe allergies.

Prevention is the name of the game. Ask what’s in the food whenever you go out to eat, whether it’s at a restaurant or friend's house. Ask if the food has been prepared using the same surface or utensils as a food you are allergic to. At a restaurant, talk to your waiter about your allergies, and feel free to ask to speak with the manager or chef if your server can

But just in case, always carry your medication with you.

But just in case, always carry your medication with you.

Your physician will likely prescribe you a self-injectable epinephrine device, like an EpiPen—which is the first-line of treatment for anaphylaxis—delays in administering can be the difference between life and death. Yes, it’s that serious. You have to make sure that you and/or your child knows when to use it, and how. It’s also key that everyone in your family knows how to inject the epinephrine as well. Knowing what to do after the epinephrine is used is also critical—always refer back to the allergy action plan if in doubt. You or your child should always carry two injectable epinephrine devices. And make sure to check the expiration date and write it on your calendar, or sign up for automatic refills at your pharmacy. " "

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