Health Alert: You Must
React Immediately To Potentially Life-Threatening Allergies
(NC)-Does this sound familiar?
Your doctor has shown you how to use an auto-injector for
adrenaline in the event of a severe allergy attack, but you
are dreading the day it is needed. At the same time, you
also know that your child's life could be saved by the
correct use of this medicine.
These anxieties are natural for parents, so it may relieve
you to know that help is on its way. Currently 600,000
Canadians may be at risk for life-threatening allergic
reactions (anaphylaxis) to such triggers as foods, drugs,
insect stings, and natural latex rubber - and the medical
profession is pointing to a rapidly increasing rate. On
September 19, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix is holding a
Health-Watch for Children Day at as many as 800 stores
across Canada. Pharmacists at these locations will conduct
one-on-one educational session with allergic individuals,
parents, or caregivers of children with food, and other
potentially life-threatening allergies. The sessions will
include a demonstration of how to properly use a
spring-loaded epinephrine injector; how to recognize early
symptoms; and what to do should an anaphylactic reaction
occur.
"If a qualified allergist has determined that someone has a
potentially life-threatening allergy, then that person needs
to know how to avoid their particular trigger and how to
proceed in the event of an unexpected reaction. It is
important to be prepared and to act swiftly," says Jane
Salter, President of Anaphylaxis Canada. "Unlike milder
allergic reactions (hay fever, eczema), anaphylaxis reflects
extreme activity of the immune system and can lead to
compromise of all body systems. The most worrying signs and
symptoms relate to the heart and lungs. Foods account for
approximately 50% of fatal anaphylaxis reactions and peanut
is the food most commonly associated with death.
"While most reactions occur shortly after contact, a few may
be delayed one or two hours. Early injection of adrenaline
(epinephrine) is the cornerstone of therapy. While the first
symptoms can be very mild, it is important to stop the
reaction at this point before it gets out of hand. As a dose
of epinephrine lasts for only 10 or 20 minutes, patients
should carry one dose for every 15 minutes travel time to a
medical facility (to a maximum of three doses). Many
reactions recur within four to six hours. Hence, if someone
has had a reaction, it is important that they remain in a
hospital setting for several hours."
Mark your calendar on Sept. 19
During HealthWatch for Children Day, a special
pharmacist-directed clinic will guide parents through these
issues during private 20-minute appointments. Parents will
be provided with an updated HealthWatch brochure, Food
Allergies and Intolerance; a fanny pack for children, large
enough to hold two doses of epinephrine; and laminated
instructions on how to administer the medication with an
auto-injector, which can be carried around in the fanny
pack.
Anaphylaxis Canada, and Association Quebecois des Allergies
Alimentaires have endorsed the Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix
initiative on this important health focus, and suggest that
the Sept. 19 information day will go a long way to provide
information and clarification. Contact your local Shoppers
Drug Mart/Pharmaprix for an appointment.
