How do you help prevent Anaphylaxis?

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How do you help prevent anaphylaxis?

How do you help prevent anaphylaxis? Help prevent anaphylaxis by steering clear of Anaphylaxis Phyl and his “what-if” friends whenever possible.

How do I prevent anaphylaxis?

Avoiding any of the “what-if” allergens that can trigger your symptoms is the best way to help prevent anaphylaxis.

Avoiding food triggers

If you have food allergies, the only way to help prevent a reaction is to strictly avoid the allergy-causing food.

Avoiding environmental triggers

When you are spending time outside, keep this information in mind.

Avoiding latex triggers

Latex can be in more products than you might realize.

Grocery shopping

Always check food labels for ingredients. Manufacturers often change their product ingredients, so read the ingredient label every time you purchase a food, even a familiar food.

Restaurants

Be very careful about finding out what the ingredients are and how your food is prepared. You can ask the server about the ingredients used in a meal before you order it. You can also speak to the restaurant manager about the menu, so that the kitchen staff will be informed about your food allergy.

Insect bites and stings

The first line of defense is to avoid occasions where you may be exposed to insects that could cause an allergic reaction. Keep in mind that insects may build their nests in the ground, in trees or shrubs, or under the leaves of houses or barns.

Avoid walking barefoot in the grass
Limit mowing the lawn or gardening
Avoid drinking from open soft drink cans, where stinging insects can crawl inside
Keep food covered when eating outdoors
Avoid perfumes, hairsprays, and deodorants that have a sweet fragrance
Avoid wearing bright colors with flowery patterns

Latex

Here is a general list of some of the most common latex products you should try to avoid if you have an allergy to latex.

Latex gloves
Balloons
Adhesive bandages
Therapy/resistance bands
Pacifiers and baby bottle nipples
Rubber bands, elastics, and orthodontic elastics
Blood pressure cuffs
Dishwashing gloves
Erasers
Spandex
Latex mattresses
Barrier contraceptive devices

Avoiding medication triggers

Anyone can have an allergic reaction to a drug.

Avoiding travel-related triggers

When you are traveling, remember these tips.

Medicines

If you do have a drug allergy, here are some tips:

Make sure all your healthcare providers know the specific drug you took and the drug reactions you had
Check with your healthcare providers about related drugs that you must avoid
Check with your healthcare providers about the drugs you can take, if needed
Wear an emergency medical alert bracelet

Commercial airline

Read the airline’s allergy policy, which can be found posted on their website. Try to choose an airline that does not serve snacks such as peanuts, tree nuts, or anything you are allergic to. Keep in mind that it is likely no airline will be able to guarantee you a peanut-free or tree nut—free flight.

Notify the airline of your food allergy when you book your flight
Keep your epinephrine auto-injector in its original packaging
It is a good idea to have a prescription for your epinephrine auto-injector, along with a letter from your doctor stating your food allergy and indicating you need to carry your medication and your food and drink items with you
It is also a good idea to avoid eating airline food. Check with the airline to see about packing your own food
Consider getting a “medical alert” bracelet

Avoiding food triggers

If you have food allergies, the only way to help prevent a reaction is to strictly avoid the allergy-causing food.

Grocery shopping

Always check food labels for ingredients. Manufacturers often change their product ingredients, so read the ingredient label every time you purchase a food, even a familiar food.

Restaurants

Be very careful about finding out what the ingredients are and how your food is prepared. You can ask the server about the ingredients used in a meal before you order it. You can also speak to the restaurant manager about the menu, so that the kitchen staff will be informed about your food allergy.

Avoiding environmental triggers

When you are spending time outside, keep this information in mind.

Insect bites and stings

The first line of defense is to avoid occasions where you may be exposed to insects that could cause an allergic reaction. Keep in mind that insects may build their nests in the ground, in trees or shrubs, or under the leaves of houses or barns.

Avoid walking barefoot in the grass
Limit mowing the lawn or gardening
Avoid drinking from open soft drink cans, where stinging insects can crawl inside
Keep food covered when eating outdoors
Avoid perfumes, hairsprays, and deodorants that have a sweet fragrance
Avoid wearing bright colors with flowery patterns

Avoiding latex triggers

Latex can be in more products than you might realize.

Latex

Here is a general list of some of the most common latex products you should try to avoid if you have an allergy to latex.

Latex gloves
Balloons
Adhesive bandages
Therapy/resistance bands
Pacifiers and baby bottle nipples
Rubber bands, elastics, and orthodontic elastics
Blood pressure cuffs
Dishwashing gloves
Erasers
Spandex
Latex mattresses
Barrier contraceptive devices

Avoiding medication triggers

Anyone can have an allergic reaction to a drug.

Medicines

If you do have a drug allergy, here are some tips:

Make sure all your healthcare providers know the specific drug you took and the drug reactions you had
Check with your healthcare providers about related drugs that you must avoid
Check with your healthcare providers about the drugs you can take, if needed
Wear an emergency medical alert bracelet

Avoiding travel-related triggers

When you are traveling, remember these tips.

Commercial airline

Read the airline’s allergy policy, which can be found posted on their website. Try to choose an airline that does not serve snacks such as peanuts, tree nuts, or anything you are allergic to. Keep in mind that it is likely no airline will be able to guarantee you a peanut-free or tree nut—free flight.

Notify the airline of your food allergy when you book your flight
Keep your epinephrine auto-injector in its original packaging
It is a good idea to have a prescription for your epinephrine auto-injector, along with a letter from your doctor stating your food allergy and indicating you need to carry your medication and your food and drink items with you
It is also a good idea to avoid eating airline food. Check with the airline to see about packing your own food
Consider getting a “medical alert” bracelet

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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.