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