As ghosts and goblins race
through neighborhoods chanting, "Trick or Treat", parents of children
with life-threatening food allergies, called anaphylaxis, feel shivers of
fright and real terror according to Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers
of Asthmatics (AANMA), the leading patient education, advocacy and outreach
organization. For good reason. They've seen that one bite of the wrong treat
can turn a fun-filled evening into a nightmare at the hospital.
Even
so, AANMA president and founder Nancy Sander says it is possible for parents
and their food allergic children to be smart and have fun on the wackiest dress-up
night of the year. "It's a great time for parents to remind children what
their food allergens look like and not to eat any unapproved candy or treats
until they get home—as well as to reinforce the need to keep two epinephrine
auto-injectors everywhere, every day even if that means tucking them in your
costume or goodie bag (or asking Mom and Dad to carry them)."
Anaphylaxis
Community Expert (ACE) Teams nationwide are helping young people develop
independent thinking skills necessary to prevent and respond to food allergy
accidents. Volunteer teams are formed by local allergists, school nurses,
registered nurses, PAs, and parents through a program developed by AANMA and
the American College of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. This school year, ACE
Teams have trained daycare providers, EMTs, school faculty and staff--as well
as at-risk students and patients--how to identify and respond to an
anaphylactic emergency.
"Fun begins by eliminating the fear
of the unknown. We start with a qualified diagnosis, a written plan, parent and
student education to prevent future episodes and training to know when and how
to self-administer epinephrine auto-injectors." says Katie Marks, MD. "Our goal is to
teach school children the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and when to ask for
help."This Halloween, ACE Teams are helping parents and students learn age-appropriate food allergy anaphylaxis prevention and emergency self-management skills. At-risk students who complete free one-on-one or small group ACE training programs at schools, community and worship centers receive free Epi Everywhere! Every Day!TM bag tags and stickers. To learn more, please contact local ACE Team member Anna at anna@southbayallergy.com or 310-371-1388 ext 15.
About ACEs
The Anaphylaxis Community Experts (ACEs) program is
developed by Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) and the
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), sponsored by
Mylan Specialty, LP. The ACEs program goal is to save lives through showing
parents, teachers, school nurses, emergency responders, and others how to
recognize and respond immediately to anaphylaxis symptoms.
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