Planning Your Child’s Summer Camp Adventure

Mar 16, 2018 | News

With the winds warming, summer is right around the corner. Maybe you and your family are thinking about the next big adventure. Maybe your child has been talking about going away to camp for the summer.

Going to summer camp may pose some challenges for a child with severe allergies, who may have a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Many parents have found summer camps that work with children who have severe allergies. Here are some tips that you can use when choosing a summer camp for your child. As always, you should check with your healthcare provider for more information and specific questions.

A Few Things to Consider While Choosing a Summer Camp

1. Allergy Awareness is Essential

Proper staff training is very important. Many camps have an allergy specialist on staff that is made aware of children with severe allergies when camping begins. The camps you consider should always have epinephrine auto-injectors located throughout the camp, and staff that is trained in using them.

What is the most important information I should know about epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector?

Serious allergies means having severe allergic reactions to certain triggers, which can include specific plant life, insects, and the foods you eat. A potentially life-threatening allergic reaction is also called anaphylaxis. At the first sign of anaphylaxis, epinephrine is the recommended first step in treating it, followed by immediate medical attention. Being prepared for a severe allergic reaction starts with having access to an epinephrine auto-injector.

2. Take the Time to Call Ahead

You may want to speak with camp directors over the phone. Here’s a list of sample questions you may want to ask them:

•    How do you handle meals for campers with severe food allergies?

•    Do you have a doctor, nurse, or allergist on staff?

•    Have there been other campers with severe allergies?

•    Are camp counselors properly trained in dealing with severe allergic reactions?

•    Are they trained on how to use an epinephrine auto-injector in an emergency?

•    Where is the nearest hospital?

3. Find the Camp that is Right for You and Your Child

There are many different types of camps to consider when looking for the camp that you are comfortable with. Consider starting with a one-week day camp option, there are also sleep-away camps that cater to kids with severe allergies. These camps allow children the experience of camping in a safe and controlled environment. Organizations like FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) look at summer camps that specialize in children with severe allergies.

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Find a food-allergy friendly summer camp for your Child. FARE can help you locate camps that keep food safety first.

4. Get to Know the Property

There are lots of camps you’ll want to consider when you begin your research. Perhaps, plan a visit to the facilities, so you can get a feel for what camp best fits your child’s needs. Some camps spread across acres of property and may not be close to a hospital. Camps that have dead-zones where cellphone use is spotty should be noted. You could also take the opportunity to talk with camp directors and staff members in person about your child’s needs.

5. Take Some Extra Time to Make Sure Your Child is Prepared

You may want to create an allergy plan with your child so they know what to avoid—and the proper steps to take in an emergency. Have you practiced using the epinephrine auto-injector with your child? You can always order an Impax epinephrine auto-injector trainer here. Also, make sure to pack multiple epinephrine auto-injectors, as a second dose may be needed if symptoms continue or recur.

Getting started with the proper research, and a few phone calls, can go a long way towards helping find your child the best summer camp for their health needs. These tips may help you be prepared and allow your son or daughter to enjoy a safe—and fun—camp experience. Prepare well and be sure to have their epinephrine auto-injector by their side!

Please read the Important Safety Information below and click here for the full Prescribing Information including the Patient Information Leafelt.

PP-ADW-EAI-US-0004 02/2018

Planning Your Child’s Summer Camp Adventure

Mar 16, 2018 | News

What is the most important information I should know about epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector?

Serious allergies means having severe allergic reactions to certain triggers, which can include specific plant life, insects, and the foods you eat. A potentially life-threatening allergic reaction is also called anaphylaxis. At the first sign of anaphylaxis, epinephrine is the recommended first step in treating it, followed by immediate medical attention. Being prepared for a severe allergic reaction starts with having access to an epinephrine auto-injector.

With the winds warming, summer is right around the corner. Maybe you and your family are thinking about the next big adventure. Maybe your child has been talking about going away to camp for the summer.

Going to summer camp may pose some challenges for a child with severe allergies, who may have a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Many parents have found summer camps that work with children who have severe allergies. Here are some tips that you can use when choosing a summer camp for your child. As always, you should check with your healthcare provider for more information and specific questions.

A Few Things to Consider While Choosing a Summer Camp

1. Allergy Awareness is Essential

Proper staff training is very important. Many camps have an allergy specialist on staff that is made aware of children with severe allergies when camping begins. The camps you consider should always have epinephrine auto-injectors located throughout the camp, and staff that is trained in using them.

2. Take the Time to Call Ahead

You may want to speak with camp directors over the phone. Here’s a list of sample questions you may want to ask them:

  • How do you handle meals for campers with severe food allergies?
  • Do you have a doctor, nurse, or allergist on staff?
  • Have there been other campers with severe allergies?
  • Are camp counselors properly trained in dealing with severe allergic reactions?
  • Are they trained on how to use an epinephrine auto-injector in an emergency?
  • Where is the nearest hospital?

3. Find the Camp that is Right for You and Your Child

There are many different types of camps to consider when looking for the camp that you are comfortable with. Consider starting with a one-week day camp option, there are also sleep-away camps that cater to kids with severe allergies. These camps allow children the experience of camping in a safe and controlled environment. Organizations like FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) look at summer camps that specialize in children with severe allergies.

p

Find a food-allergy friendly summer camp for your Child. FARE can help you locate camps that keep food safety first.

4. Get to Know the Property

There are lots of camps you’ll want to consider when you begin your research. Perhaps, plan a visit to the facilities, so you can get a feel for what camp best fits your child’s needs. Some camps spread across acres of property and may not be close to a hospital. Camps that have dead-zones where cellphone use is spotty should be noted. You could also take the opportunity to talk with camp directors and staff members in person about your child’s needs.

5. Take Some Extra Time to Make Sure Your Child is Prepared

You may want to create an allergy plan with your child so they know what to avoid—and the proper steps to take in an emergency. Have you practiced using the epinephrine auto-injector with your child? You can always order an Impax epinephrine auto-injector trainer here. Also, make sure to pack multiple epinephrine auto-injectors, as a second dose may be needed if symptoms continue or recur.

 

Getting started with the proper research, and a few phone calls, can go a long way towards helping find your child the best summer camp for their health needs. These tips may help you be prepared and allow your son or daughter to enjoy a safe—and fun—camp experience. Prepare well and be sure to have their epinephrine auto-injector by their side!

Please read the Important Safety Information below and click here for the full Prescribing Information including the Patient Information Leafelt.

PP-ADW-EAI-US-0004 02/2018

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector is intended for immediate administration as emergency supportive
therapy and is not intended as a substitute for immediate medical care. In conjunction with the administration of
epinephrine, the patient should seek immediate medical or hospital care. More than two sequential doses of
epinephrine should only be administered under direct medical supervision.

Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector should ONLY be injected into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. Do not
inject intravenously. Do not inject into buttock. Do not inject into fingers, hands or feet. Instruct caregivers to
hold the child’s leg firmly in place and limit movement prior to and during injection to minimize the risk of injection
related injury.

Epinephrine should be administered with caution to patients who have heart disease, including patients with
cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery or organic heart disease, or hypertension. In such patients, or in patients who
are on drugs that may sensitize the heart to arrhythmias, epinephrine may precipitate or aggravate angina pectoris
as well as produce ventricular arrhythmias. Arrhythmias, including fatal ventricular fibrillation, have been reported
in patients with underlying cardiac disease or those receiving certain drugs. Patients who receive epinephrine
while concomitantly taking cardiac glycosides, diuretics or anti-arrhythmics should be observed carefully for the
development of cardiac arrhythmias. Epinephrine should be administered with caution to patients with
hyperthyroidism, diabetes, elderly individuals, and pregnant women. Patients with Parkinson’s disease may notice
a temporary worsening of symptoms.

Rare cases of serious skin and soft tissue infections, including necrotizing fasciitis and myonecrosis caused by
Clostridia, have been reported at the injection site following epinephrine injection for anaphylaxis. Advise patients
to seek medical care if they develop signs or symptoms of infection.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector?

  1. Epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector contains epinephrine, a medicine used to treat allergic emergencies (anaphylaxis). Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening, can happen within minutes, and can be caused by stinging and biting insects, allergy injections, foods, medicines, exercise or other unknown causes. Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:
    • trouble breathing
    • wheezing
    • hoarseness (changes in the way your voice sounds)
    • hives (raised reddened rash that may itch)
    • severe itching
    • swelling of your face, lips, mouth, or tongue
    • skin rash, redness, or swelling
    • fast heartbeat
    • weak pulse
    • feeling very anxious
    • confusion
    • stomach pain
    • losing control of urine or bowel movements (incontinence)
    • diarrhea or stomach cramps
    • dizziness, fainting, or “passing out” (unconsciousness).
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