Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

Epinephrine auto-injectors are easy to use, with a concealed needle that contains a pre-measured dose of epinephrine.

They are intramuscular devices that should be injected into the muscle on the outer side of the thigh to release the medication.

There are currently two epinephrine auto-injectors available in North America:

• EpiPen^®
• Twinject^®

Both products come in two dosages or strengths - 0.15 mg and 0.30 mg - which are prescribed based on weight.

Note: Patients on the lower dosage should consult with their physician before switching to the higher dosage.

Allergy Alert Released June 11 2008

The Following is an alert released by the Canadian Food Insepction Agency on June 11th, 2008.

ALLERGY ALERT

UNDECLARED SULPHITES IN CERTAIN WHITE PARISIENNE POTATOES PACKED BY LANZBRO CORP

OTTAWA, June 11, 2008 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Lanzbro Corp are warning people with sensitivities to sulphites not to consume certain White Parisienne Potatoes packed by Lanzbro Corp, Mississauga, Ontario described below. The affected product does contain sulphites which are not declared on the label.

The affected product, White Parisienne Potatoes, is sold in 908 grams, vacuum packed bags with a white label bearing UPC 6 81548 00010 5 and packed by Lanzbro Corp, Mississauga, L5T 1Z3. All Best Before dates are affected.

This product has been distributed in Ontario.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Consumption of this product may cause a serious or life-threatening reaction in persons with sensitivities to sulphites.

The manufacturer, Lanzbro Corp, Mississauga, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call the following numbers:

Lanzbro Corp at 905-362-1322 (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

For information on sulphites, one of the nine most common food products causing severe adverse reactions, visit the Food Allergens web page at www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/allerg/allerge.shtml.

For information on receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

Travelling With Food Allergies?

Traveling with Food Allergies? Convey your dietary needs and special diet.

Get a customized translation card in your palm in minutes! It's easy!

Register for your own Allergy Translation Card Today!

Whether you travel with a nut allergy, peanut allergy or you are a vegetarian or celiac (gluten-free diet), a food allergy translation card will make your next trip easier.

Food Allergy Translation Cards provide online food allergy and special diet language translations into a credit card-sized dietary card to be used as an alert tool in restaurants, grocery stores, hotels and catered events. Wrhether backpacking though Europe, a business trip to Italy ,or a vacation to any country of a foreign language, avoid complications wherever you eat with your own food allergy translation cards.

Why a Food Allergy Translation Card?

• Communicates your food allergy or special diet effectively
• Print unlimited copies of your own custom card within minutes!
• Helps make a safer trip to foreign countries
• Fits perfectly in your wallet/purse
• It is a discreet card that is accepted positively

Remember: Carrying an Allergy Translation Card is only one way of eating safely. Other strategies must be used in combination such as carrying medicine and doing proper research. For More Ideas and Travel Tips .

11 Must Have Books For Those Who Have Allergies

Having allergies can be quite symptomatic and quite life changing. For those who suffer from allergies there is plenty of advice and plenty of treatments available scattered across the internet or other various sources. But what advice is good to follow? For those who have food allergies or other allergy related problems sometimes the advice and information can be confusing or is not readily available. So I put together a list of very informative and information filled books that are written by leading Doctors, Nutritionists and Immunology Medical professionals. The information in these books came from those who have years of experience with dealing with various forms of allergies. The 11 books are:

The Whole Foods Allergy
Cookbook: Two Hundred Gourmet & Homestyle Recipes for the Food Allergic Family

Say Good-Bye to Illness
(3rd Edition) (Say Good-Bye To...)

What's to Eat? The Milk-
Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free Food Allergy Cookbook

The Allergy Self-Help
Cookbook: Over 350 Natural Foods Recipes, Free of All Common Food Allergens: wheat-free,
milk-free, egg-free, corn-free, sugar-free, yeast-free

Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Kid
Pleasing Recipes & Tips

Food Allergies and Food
Intolerance: The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment

Food Allergies For
Dummies

The Kid-Friendly Food
Allergy Cookbook: More Than 150 Recipes That Are Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Egg-Free, and Low in Sugar

Sinus Relief Now: The
Ground-Breaking 5-Step Program for Sinus, Allergy, and AsthmaSufferers


My House Is Killing Me!:
The Home Guide for Families with Allergies and Asthma


The Doctors Book of Home
Remedies for Children: From Allergies and Animal Bites to Toothaches and TV Addiction,
Hundreds of Doctor-Proven Techniques and Tips to Care for Your Child

Worldwide allergy, asthma rates rising, report says

In its first ever report on worldwide rates of allergy and other chronic respiratory diseases, the World Allergy Organization (WAO) said that as allergy and asthma rates are on the rise, the number of health-care professionals who can diagnose and treat these illnesses has remained stagnant.

This report I found an interesting read, and states many world wide figures as well interesting facts on asthma, allergies, food allergies and other similar ailments. For the rest of this article please head on over to the following asthma link.

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is rare, but it is a severe allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis can occur after exposure to an allergy-causing substance (including allergy shots: hence the 30 minute wait afterwards). If you have a history of allergies or a family history of anaphylactic reactions, you may be at higher risk of having an anaphylactic reaction. Causes of anaphylaxis include certain medications, latex, insect bites and stings, and foods such as peanuts, shellfish, and dairy products and sometimes immunotherapy or allergy shots. Anaphylactic reactions are rarely caused by pollens.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include any of the following:
-intense itching or burning
-sneezing or coughing
-flushing, redness of the skin
-watery eyes
-hives
-tightness in chest/difficulty breathing
-wheezing
-tongue swelling
-nausea/vomiting
-rapid/weak pulse
-decreased/low blood pressure
-shock
-dizziness/fainting

If you should ever think you have had an anaphylactic response, you should see an allergy specialist. The specialist will evaluate your symptoms and ask questions related to your exposure and reactions to different allergy-causing substances. This will determine if you have possibly had an anaphylactic response, and if so, what has possibly triggered it. Allergy testing most likely will also be part of the evaluation to determine what you are allergic to or if you may have other unknown allergies. Although anaphylaxis is rare, it is extremely serious and potentially life-threatening. One out of every 2.5 million people per year dies from anaphylaxis.

Epinephrine

Epinephrine (commonly known as adrenaline) is the drug that is most commonly used to treat anaphylaxis. If you are found to be at risk, then your doctor or specialist may recommend you carry an epinephrine kit, which includes a self-injecting shot. The shot can be self-administered, and should be given immediately after the reaction until professional medical attention is possible. Professional medical attention should be attained as soon as possible after any anaphylaxic reaction has occured. You may also want to wear a MedicAlert bracelet indicating your condition and instruct family members and friends on how to administer the epinephrine (Shot) in case you have a reaction and are unable to administer it to yourself. Better to be safe than sorry.

What Are Allergies?

Allergies are triggered by various allergy-causing substances which are termed allergens. Allergens can vary but typically and most often are things such as pollens, molds, and animal dander. In the springtime, typical allergens are pollens that come from grasses and trees, a common one is ragweed. During the rest of the year, other allergens such as pet dander, mites found within house dust, and molds are common.
Most people who have allergies have inherited them; however, allergies can develop on their own later in life and are quite often mistaken for a persistant cold or many colds. People with allergies have an antibody called IgE (immunoglobulin E). This substance causes an excessive reaction to allergens. Basically allergies is your bodies immue system trying to figfht what is a safe foreign object but for whatever reason has decided to fight it whereas in other people the body would ignore it. Typical allergy symptoms may include repetitive and prolonged sneezing, a runny or plugged nose, itchy, watery, red or swollen eyes, and itchy throat. Other common allergic reactions include skin and intestinal problems, such as hives, itchiness, rashes, diarrhea and headache. Lymph node pr gland swelling in the neck for cronic prolonged allergies, including even a feeling of a tooth ache where there is no evidence of dental problems, as well sudden flashes of fever like situations. Some patients also have a hard time swallowing with a feeling of a constricted throat or very well have a sore throat when they first wake or a tickle throughout the day in their throat.

Are allergies life-threatening?

Allergies are rarely life-threatening, but serious allergic reactions can occur. These include swelling of the respiratory passages, shortness of breath, and anaphylactic reaction. People who suffer from allergies have an increased chance of developing respiratory infections and may be more susceptible to developing asthma. The majority of allergy sufferers are affected by reduced efficiency in daily activities, decreased energy levels, and a reduced quality of life.