| It's rare that you hear of someone dying from food | | | | waiter if the food you're about to order contains the |
| allergies, but when it happens, it usually reaches | | | | ingredients that might cause an allergic reaction. Also, |
| national news. Why? Because food is something we | | | | check food labels and labels on drinks and condiments |
| eat every day - several times a day - and everyone | | | | while grocery shopping to be sure it's safe before |
| should be aware of the dangers of food allergies. | | | | eating. Keep a list of the foods you're allergic to with |
| Some foods such as peanuts contain very strong | | | | you in your wallet or purse as a reminder when dining |
| allergens that are in the food and released into the air | | | | out. |
| as well. That's why someone with severe food | | | | If you've already experienced a severe food allergy |
| allergies must be extremely careful where and how | | | | attack, ask your physician about a self-injecting |
| they dine out. | | | | epinephrine to keep with you for emergencies. This |
| Food Allergy Deaths | | | | could save your life! |
| There are approximately 150 deaths related to food | | | | Help Medical Emergency Workers do their Jobs |
| allergies in the United States each year. Food allergies | | | | Another way to be prepared is to have all your |
| are responsible for more deaths than insect bites as | | | | medical emergency information with you in one place |
| well as reactions to medicines. | | | | along with your identification. Keep this information in |
| Some food allergy deaths could have been | | | | your purse or wallet so emergency workers will |
| prevented if proper medical attention was given | | | | know how to diagnose and treat you when they |
| when the allergic reaction occurred. Unfortunately, | | | | arrive. |
| someone who is dining out or eating at home alone | | | | Special wallets are now available called Medical Alert |
| can have an allergic reaction without anyone around | | | | Wallets that have all your medical information and |
| who knows the cause. With severe reactions, the | | | | allergy details inside. Emergency workers easily |
| person may not be able to speak or move at all. | | | | recognize these because each Medical Alert Wallet |
| When the paramedics arrive, they do not know how | | | | has a "Medic Alert" symbol and a free Medical |
| to treat the patient. | | | | Information Card with each wallet. They come in |
| Non-deadly allergies can still cause unpleasant | | | | nylon, vinyl, and leather. Several styles are available |
| symptoms such as cramps, light-headedness, itching | | | | such as bi-fold, tri-fold and neck wallets. Families can |
| and rash, hives, headaches, swelling lips, tingling | | | | use these for every member of the family so |
| mouth, shortness of breath and wheezing. Even | | | | everyone will be protected if a food allergy reaction |
| these symptoms can seem urgent when they're | | | | or any other medical emergency occurs. |
| really not, so emergency personnel might attend to | | | | With a little preparation and a Medic Alert Wallet, |
| someone with these symptoms as well. | | | | you'll have peace of mind when dining out or eating |
| Keeping in Touch with Your Food Allergies | | | | at a friend's house. Food allergies do not have to |
| Prevention is always best with food allergies, | | | | control your life! |
| especially dangerous ones. When dining out, ask the | | | | |