Join KFA’s Campaign #WhereInTheWorldIsMyEpinephrine to Show You Are Always Prepared for Anaphylaxis Everywhere You Go
Families need to take all symptoms of an allergic reaction seriously because both mild and severe symptoms can lead to a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis (anna-fih-LACK-sis).
The symptoms of anaphylaxis may occur quickly after having contact with an allergen such as food, insects or latex. Symptoms, which may include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, vomiting, throat tightness, swelling, and fainting, can rapidly worsen. You can’t predict how your child will react to a certain allergen from one time to the next.
You must be prepared and ready to treat anaphylaxis right away because it can cause death. Epinephrine is the medicine used to treat anaphylaxis. Studies show that most people who die from severe allergic reactions, died because epinephrine was not given at all, or it was given too late to stop anaphylaxis.
That’s why it’s so important to keep epinephrine with you at all times. You should not keep it in the car, or leave it behind at home. Instead, KFA recommends that you always keep two epinephrine auto-injectors with you. Unfortunately, we have found too few patients are carrying their epinephrine with them everywhere they go.
With some preparation, people with food allergies can do almost anything. Take your epinephrine with you everywhere you go – parks, museums, restaurants, boating, hiking, dining out, the sky is not the limit! From now until December 31, 2015, we invite you to share your best picture of your family or child with your epinephrine auto-injector(s) (similar to the photos shown here). Your photos may show any brand of epinephrine auto-injector.
To enter, share your photo with the hashtag #WhereInTheWorldIsMyEpinephrine on the platform of your choice:
• On our website - KFA Community Clips or comment on this blog post
• On the Facebook pages for KFA or AAFA
• Instagram (tag @kidswithfoodallergies)
• Twitter (tag @kfatweets)
• Pinterest (follow us @kfapins)
Each month, we’ll pick one winner to receive a $400 in Certified asthma and allergy friendly™ products of the winner’s choosing!
For contest rules, click here.
Know How to Use Epinephrine
Learn how to give your child epinephrine. Epinephrine is safe and comes in an easy-to-use device called an auto-injector. When you press it against your child’s outer thigh, it injects a single dose of medicine. Your child’s health care team will show you how to use it. You, in turn, can teach people who spend time with your child how to use it.
To learn more about epinephrine, please visit Everything You Need To Know About Epinephrine.
This campaign is made possible through sponsorship by Mylan Specialty.
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