Additional Tips

Ask your allergist about prescribing an auto injector of epinephrine called the Epi-Pen Jr® for children or EpiPen® for adults, if you don't already have one. Chances are if you’re seeing an allergist, you already have a prescription. Ask specifically when the Epi-Pen® should be used (at what point during an allergic reaction). Ask to be properly trained on how to administer the EpiPen®.

It may be a good idea to have more than one Epi-Pen® or EpiPen Jr® available in case the first one malfunctions or in case one is not enough. The Epi-Pen® helps alleviate symptoms and buys 15-20 minutes of time, but a food allergic person can have a second phase reaction up to several hours later and should be closely monitored for several hours after an allergic reaction. More medications may be necessary.

Any time an EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr® is administered, the food allergic person should be taken to the nearest emergency room (or call 9-1-1) for further observation and treatment. Your doctor will help you determine how soon a second Epi-Pen® may be used in the event it is needed.

Develop an Emergency Treatment Plan. Working with your physician to develop an appropriate Emergency Treatment Plan for the food allergic person is essential. With your physician's help, you will be able to develop an effective treatment plan that will outline specifically what symptoms to look for as well as how and when to use appropriate medications in the event you or your child has an allergic reaction. Put it in writing and have your physician sign it. Your physician must sign any written instructions requiring medication, especially when sending food allergic children to school. Include emergency contact information and your allergist’s phone number as well as a picture of the allergic person. Sample Emergency Treatment Plans may be obtained through Food Allergy Connection or FAAN.

Put together an emergency kit and take it wherever the food allergic person goes – no exceptions. While at home, keep it in the same place each time and make sure everyone knows where it is.

A variety of containers may be used, such as an insulated lunch box, plastic boxes, locking file boxes, fanny packs, as well as specially made medicine holders available for ordering at www.foodallergy.org

Each emergency kit should contain the following:

1. Copy of Emergency Treatment Plan with emergency contact information.
2. Epi-pens® (they should ideally be kept at room temperature –no extreme temperatures.)
3. Other medicines prescribed by allergist (usually liquid antihistamine)
4. Copies of insurance & prescription cards
5. List of all medications food allergic person is taking.
6. Personalized I.D. Card from Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network - Contains physician’s name & number, food allergies and what medications are needed in case of an allergic reaction. It also lists symptoms of anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction).
7. Medic Alert Card if you’re a member.

Discuss details of the Emergency Treatment Plan with everyone involved with the food allergic person, such as family members, school personnel or caregivers.

Go over the Emergency Kit and train everyone on how and when to use the EpiPen® and other medications.  EpiPen® Trainers may be ordered  through FAAN’s website.   Also helpful in teaching others about food allergies is FAAN’s video It Only Takes One Bite, available on FAAN’s website. Children’s books and videos as well as many other food allergy products are also available through FAAN.

Be sure everyone involved understands the plan-of-action. Have regular review sessions to be sure everyone remembers what to look for and what to do in. (For more information about sending your food allergic child to preschool and school, contact Food Allergy Connection at info@foodallergyconnection.org.)

Keep track of expiration dates on all medications. Ask the pharmacist to give you the farthest out date on EpiPens®. They should be good for at least one year.

Educate your child if your child is the one with food allergies. There is a fine line between educating your child and scaring him regarding food allergies, so keep the talk on his level but start at an early age. Your child will need this information and guidance to help him/her handle being away from you (the protector) with confidence. Pre-schoolers are hungry for knowledge, and if you present things in the right way, your child will become responsible, helpful, confident and secure in dealing with the health issues that have become a way of life for all of you. Use role-playing to rehearse different situations your child may experience at school. Teach him specific words and phrases to use to say no to anyone who wants him to eat something he shouldn’t eat, whether it’s an adult or a child. It’s hard for a child to say no to an adult, and role-playing can give him the confidence he needs, as well as "permission" to say no in that situation.

Read ingredient labels on every food the allergic person eats – every time you buy them. Labels can change at any time, so get in the habit of reading labels carefully. FAAN sells "How To Read A Label" cards designed for various food allergies.

It’s best to avoid foods that list phrases on the label such as "may contain…" or "manufactured in a facility that uses…"

"Understanding Food Labels", available through FAAN, helps clarify label reading. It also explains how kosher certification of foods can help identify milk-free and meat-free products.

Homemade foods are always risky for people with food allergies. Avoid potlucks or buffets. If you must attend, it may be a good idea to only eat food brought from home in situations like these. Besides the foods being risky, the chances of utensils becoming cross contaminated with other foods is high at events like these, so keep your own food separate from the others.

If eating in a restaurant, first talk directly to the manager, then with the head chef if necessary. Be sure to ask about food ingredients as well as the possibility of cross contamination due to food preparation or handling. It may help to show copies of the "How To Read A Label" cards. If you don’t feel comfortable with the answers you get, don’t eat there! Why take a chance.

Develop rules about how the allergic food will be handled and prepared if other family members will be eating it.

Designate a specific area to prepare the allergic food.

Be diligent about disinfecting. Clean countertops, tables and other areas the allergic food touches. Bleach and water works well, as do disinfecting cleaners. Clean utensils and dishes in hot soapy water or in the dishwasher.

Be diligent about hand washing. Residue from the allergic food may cause a reaction in some people, so be sure to have family members wash hands and mouth after handling or eating the allergic foods. Also check clothes for spills.

Be diligent about control measures, but try not to go overboard and let it totally consume your life.  Try to find a good, healthy balance.  It can be done.

Successful Management of Food Allergies should become part of your family's routine.  There's no reason a food allergic person can't live a happy, healthy and safe life if you educate yourself and take the precautions necessary to avoid allergic reactions.