By Gina Mennett Lee, M.Ed.
FoodAllergyConsulting.com
Moving beyond awareness to education: Each month I will launching an educational campaign to help get important information about managing food allergies out to greater community. I hope that you will join me!
The educational campaign for February is #WhereIsYourEPI?
The purpose of this campaign is to emphasize the importance of having epinephrine immediately available at all times.
Did you know that a delay in using epinephrine for a life-threatening reaction (anaphylaxis) can have a huge impact on the outcome of the patient and can even result in death?
What research reveals:
- The delay or non-use of epinephrine is risk factor for fatal anaphylaxis (more info here)
- The later you use the epi, the higher likelihood of hospitalization (more info here)
- In a recent survey, only 40% of those with life-threatening food allergies were carrying their epinephrine
No one plans to have an allergic reaction.
Reactions can happen ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. That is why it is important that those with food allergies ALWAYS have epinephrine immediately available.
LET’S TURN THIS AROUND!
How can you help?
- Post the #WhereIsYourEPI? image (above) to social media.
- Ask your loved ones with food allergies this important question and encourage them to always have their epinephrine.
- Enter my contest. Let’s set a good example. Show us how you keep epi immediately available at all times (whether at home, at school or out and about) by posting a picture to my website or by posting to twitter and you will be entered to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card.*
* All twitter entries must be tagged with #WhereIsYourEPI? and @MennettLeeLLC to be considered. All website entries should be posted here. Not tech savvy? Send your submission to: gmleeconsulting@gmail.com. By entering the contest, you allow Mennett Lee, LLC to use your image. Contest ends February 14, 2015. Winner will be selected on February 20, 2014.
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