How To Be Prepared
3 Vital Steps
1. Learn how to use an auto-injector
2. Have an auto-injector with you at all times
3. Have an emergency action plan
Learn How to Use an Auto-Injector
It is critical to know how to use an auto-injector. Spokin’s video helps you learn in less than a minute. Share our video to teach anyone who cares for your food allergic family member or for anyone who needs a refresher.
We asked Dr. Ciaccio, if there was any risk to using an epinephrine auto-injector, particularly on a child. Her answer was a resounding NO! “Epinephrine auto-injectors have an incredible safety record, and you will never be faulted for using one. If you’re not sure whether to use it or not, the answer is ‘use it’ and get to the ER.”
Practice administering the auto-injector by using the trainer, a needle-less version, included with every purchase or refill.
Spokin Tip: Save expired and unused EpiPens and practice using them on oranges. This will provide insight to the amount of pressure required to use and increase your comfort level if you need to administer one in an emergency.
Have an auto-injector with you at all times
The drug in the auto-injectors is Epinephrine. Epinephrine is adrenaline and it relieves severe symptoms.
You should always carry 2 auto-injectors in the event anything goes wrong with the first needle and because 1 in 5 reactions require a second dose of Epinephrine due to severity.
Have an Emergency Action Plan
An emergency action or care plan is a document that should be filled out by your allergist. Share it with anyone responsible for the care of the food allergic person. The plan is critical because it will:
✔️ Identify allergens
✔️ Describe symptoms
✔️ Detail treatments for each type of reaction, mild and severe, including a different treatment for a combination of mild symptoms.
Download Emergency Action Plan
Spokin Tip: A recent addition to the emergency action plan is the option to instruct that the auto-injector is administered immediately if the allergen was definitely eaten, even if no symptoms are apparent. This is an important decision to make that you should discuss with your doctor.
Please share and please be prepared.
