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Practical Information
Jonathan O'B Hourihane, Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, Cork University Hospital has supplied us with the following editorial for circulation. Immunotherapy Caution Editorial *************************************************************************** Swine Flu Vaccine As each
person’s allergy profile is unique, and as there are 2 suppliers of the
vaccine, it is important that each person seeks the advice of their own G.P.
regarding the suitability of the vaccination in their own particular case. Please
see below paragraph regarding egg allergy and the swine flu vaccination as
per Professor Hourihane, Professor of Pediatrics & Child Health CUH, “Allergist
advise that all egg allergic children, except the
most severe, could receive either vaccine.
However the Celvapan vaccine is egg free and
is being preferred for egg allergic children, who need no extra precautions
to receive it. I understand it is
being offered in the HSE run clinics in health centres etc but not by GP led
clinics. I suggest you find out where
your nearest such clinic is and go ahead with this important immunization” FOR UPDATED INFORMATION PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES: www.swineflu.ie www.immunization.ie (February 2011) *************************************************************************** Adrenaline Auto Injectors
• The Epipen Adrenaline auto-injectors are only available on prescription. The process for ordering either the Anapen or the Epipen is to firstly to obtain a prescription from one's doctor/allergy specialist. The pens can then be ordered through any pharmacy. An important piece of practical advice is to order all of your pens at one time. This has two important advantages. Firstly if one orders all one's pens at one time, the total cost of the pens above the normal threshold can be recovered under the Drugs Refund Scheme. The threshold as at February 2011 is EUR120 per month. Secondly if one orders all the pens at the same time it should be possible to ensure that they have the same expiry date. In this way you can order an entire fresh new set prior to the next expiry date and not be exposed to the risk that the particular pen you use is out of date. However it is important to check that the pens supplied by the pharmacist have not used up any significant portion of their useful life when buying new pens from a pharmacy.
The manufacturers of both the Epipen and the Anapen also supply "trainer pens". These are dummy pens that look like the real thing and are a very useful training aid. These trainer pens are the most effective way to educate non medical people in how to administer adrenaline in an emergency. The Campaign recommends that everyone should get hold of one of these trainer pens. Trainer pens can be ordered through your pharmacist in the same way as the real pens. Reference books and videos Set out below is a list of useful books and videos on allergies and related subjects. Books: A practical guide for parents. Also available from the Irish Anaphylaxis Campaign for a donation of Euro 10.00 Could
it be an allergy? A comprehensive guide to allergic symptoms. This book is written for the layperson . Each section includes case histories, questions and answers on the particular allergy and advice.
Exposure to allergens such as house-dust-mites, domestic pets and moulds induces inflammation in many cases and can explain the cause and persistence of allergic disease. This book offers a thorough strategy for removing allergens in your home and daily life.
Easy to read and packed with information. The book covers symptoms, what happens inside the body during a reaction, food labelling, eating out, allergy testing, treatment for allergies, risk management and many other issues.
This
free booklet shows parents how to teach their children to manage their
allergies. It is full of helpful tips and information. For a free copy of
this booklet, send a stamped addressed A5 envelope and a brief covering note
to: Anaphylaxis Campaign (Letting Go), PO Box 275, Farnborough, Hampshire
GU14 6SX, England.
Coming
to terms with a life-threatening condition is difficult for allergic
children. But now they have an ally...Cyril the Squirrel. 'The Diary of Cyril
the Squirrel' was written to help children aged three to seven adopt a
healthy attitude to nut allergy.
People who care for allergic children - parents, teachers, school nurses and pre-school staff, for example - sometimes find information hard to come by. The Anaphylaxis Campaign in the UK has produced 'Action for Anaphylaxis' -a 25-minute training video that meets this need. The film provides detailed information about treatment including the administering of adrenaline. Particular attention has been paid to schools, but the video's messages will prove relevant wherever there are people with life-threatening allergies. The language has been kept straightforward and is easily understood by parents, teachers and others who have no medical background. Available through the UK Anaphylaxis Campaign - contact them at info@anaphylaxis.org.uk.
Seven-year-old
Jack is new in town. He also has peanut allergy. When Jack is invited to
Rosie's party he has to deal with his allergy and win over the local bully,
Ben. Luckily, Cyril the Squirrel is on hand to help guide him through the day
and win over Ben and his friends. To order
by credit card, call 00 44 1252 542029. Or send the Anaphylaxis Campaign in
the UK an email requesting an order form: info@anaphylaxis.org.uk. Include
your name and address. Cooking for someone with multiple food allergies can sometimes leave you short of ideas; particularly when ingredients that you have been using for years are suddenly off the menu. Here are some books that may help spark that new meal or snack idea: * Cooking Without by Barbara Cousins. Recipes free from added gluten, sugar, dairy products, yeast, salt and saturated fats. * Friendly Food by Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Unit. Avoiding allergies, additives and problem chemicals. Published by Murdoch Books. * The Stamp Collection by Terence Stamp and Elizabeth Buxton. Terence Stamp suffers from food allergies, as does Elizabeth Buxton's daughter. There are recipes free from wheat, dairy, salt and sugar. * Easy Vegan Cooking by Leah Leneman. Great for those allergic to dairy and eggs. Contains a chocolate cake recipe that any chocoholic would devour with glee. * The Cranks Recipe Book, Cranks Restaurants. A vegetarian book with lots of Vegan recipes for those allergic to dairy and eggs. * Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappe. A vegetarian book, extremely useful for those unable to have meat, poultry and seafood as it looks at combinations of grains, seeds, legumes and milk products to maximize complementary protein relationships. * Linda McCartney on Tour and Linda's Summer Kitchen. Vegetarian/ Vegan recipes for those unable to have meat, seafood, dairy and eggs. * Vegan Feasts by Rose Elliot. Includes fabulous recipes for a Christmas cake and pudding for those on egg and dairy free diets. * BBC
Vegetarian Good Food Magazine. This monthly magazine includes lots of
Vegan recipes. When travelling, always take your own food no matter how long or short the journey may be. It is always better to have food that you prepared yourself, rather than put your trust in catering companies who may accidentially put nuts in the ingredients, or fail to supply you with your "special meal" request. Bring a little bit more when travelling international flights as delays can happen. It is a good idea to have a test trial run of the food you plan to take with you, a couple of days before you fly. If you are in an overseas country trying new food brands, it is best to try them on land first, rather than for the first time on a plane. Call the airline before you fly and ask them to send you the acceptable cabin baggage sizes. The last thing you want, is to be told that the bag containing your food is too large to take on-board. For long-haul flights: if you prefer hot food, you can bring some cup o' soups or foods that require boiling water to heat up. Again, make sure that they are products that you know are safe to eat. You can ask the staff to supply boiling water. Other alternatives could include foods prepared by you/your parents the day before that can be eaten cold eg: pasta/rice dishes, fruit and sandwiches. Bring your own cutlery. It minimises the risk of contamination. Pack the cutlery at the top of your bag incase of security checks. Do not bring sharp knives or objects. Standard kitchen cutlery is acceptable. Try to board the plane before other passengers allowing you extra time to wipe down your/your child's table and arm rests. Notify the staff on-board of your/your child's allergy. They will be aware that you/your child may need medical attention. If you are travelling with another person, give them one of your epipens to carry. At least if your bag goes missing, you have back-up. If they don't know how to use it, let them know before you travel. Sit on the plane where the air is likely to be the cleanest. When you are checking-in, ask whether the flight is full or empty. If it is empty, request a seat away from other passengers. An aisle seat gives you extra room. Afterall, you have an extra bag with your food, which can be awkward if you are squashed against the window. Try to
travel early in the morning rather than late at night. There is more of a
chance of passengers eating peanuts with an alcoholic drink on an evening
flight At your
destination: Don't
leave home without it: Bring phone numbers and details of Anaphylaxis Support Groups from around the world with you. Contact the relevant group upon arrival and ask them to update you on any recent product recalls or label alerts. Don't forget to bring the contact details of F.A.C.T.S with you. You may need them. Wear an
S.O.S Bracelet or necklace. You and your family may know you have allergies.
If you have your S.O.S bracelet/necklace others will know too.
The information in this site should not be considered in any
way whatsoever as medical advice or opinion. Readers must consult with their
own doctor to deal directly with their specific circumstances. Products
mentioned are not endorsed and are referred to solely |
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© Irish Anaphylaxis
Campaign 2003 |
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