By: Erin Watts

Let’s cover the basics. What is an allergy? An allergy is a reaction the body has to a foreign substance. The immune system reacts to them in a multitude of ways, such as headaches, runny noses and sneezing. Depending on the person and the allergy, the reactions range from mild to severe. If the allergy is anaphylactic (closing the airways), the person may need to carry an Epi-pen at all times in case of an allergic reaction. 

What is an Epi-pen? An Epi-pen gives the user an injection of epinephrine in an attempt to reopen a closed airway. Epinephrine counteracts anaphylaxis. 

How is the Epi-pen used? Epinephrine should be administered in the middle of the outer thigh. First, remove the blue cap. Then, swing the orange end into the thigh. Hold it for three seconds until the injection is administered. Finally, remove the Epi-pen. 

Why is this knowledge important? Knowing how to react when someone is having an allergic reaction may just save a life. Many people understand the surface layer of “allergies,” but do not understand how life-threatening they are.

Most common allergies:

  • Food allergies
  • Medical allergies
  • Stings/bites

Allergy Symptoms:

  • Headaches (dizziness, confusion)
  • Mouth (itchy, swelling, tingling)
  • Lungs (shortness of breath, coughing)
  • Skin (itchy, redness, hives)
  • Throat (closure, coughing, hoarseness)
  • Stomach (vomiting, nausea, cramps)

Statistics:

  • 32 million people in America have allergies
  • 1 in 10 adults have an allergy
  • 1 in 13 children have an allergy
  • About 40 percent of children with a food allergy are allergic to more than one food

Sources: https://www.epipen.com/en, https://perks.optum.com/blog/epipen-and-the-treatment-of-allergies/#:~:text=What%20allergies%20require%20an%20EpiPen,bites%2C%20and%20allergies%20to%20medications.,https://santanallergy.com/an-allergy-doctors-guide-to-who-needs-an-epipen-and-why/, https://www.epipen.com/-/media/files/epipen/howtouseepipenautoinjector.pdf, https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/facts-and-statistics,