Creating Your Own Emergency First Aid Food Allergy Kit

When you have food allergies, you always have to be on alert especially during meal and snack times. However, even with the most practiced diligence, possible cross contamination could occur with as something as simple as a handshake with someone who just peeled and ate shrimp or had a peanut butter sandwich. For those seriously afflicted with food allergies, just touching the hand of someone else who handled the food can have dangerous consequences.

Being prepared for these possible situations is important for food allergy sufferers and many are advised by their doctors to create an emergency first aid food allergy kit. This kit is something that should be easily portable, especially for active children who may spend time away from home as well as adults who travel. Basically, anyone who is at risk of possible anaphylactic shock from exposure to a food allergen or even less severe symptoms should have this kit handy.

Where your Kit Should Reside

Being well-prepared is important so you should decide just how many kits you should make as well as where they should reside. Choosing places that you frequent or spend the most time in is essential and communicating to others where the kit is located is vital. The important thing to remember is this emergency first aid food allergy kit should be housed in an area that is temperature controlled so that the medications and such do not spoil and remain effective.

As an adult, you likely spend the most time at home and at work so it makes sense that you have at least two kits – one for each location. Choose a spot to store them and let your family and co-workers know where it is should they have to fetch it in an emergency. For kids, the day care office, school room or school nurse and home are likely kit scenarios. You might want to create a third emergency kit for those times when you are away from home.

Items for the Emergency Kit

If you have been prescribed an Epipen or some other type of injectable epinephrine, be sure to put one in your kit along with instructions on how to use it in case someone else has to administer it to you. When asthma is a common food allergic reaction, asthma medication like an inhaler should also be placed in the kit.

Antihistamines that can be taken orally should be placed in your food allergy emergency first aid kit, preferably a liquid as it acts faster than pill form. Should you need a lotion for hives or a rash or any other medication, be sure not to miss them. Also important for the kit is a copy of your food allergy history if it be needed to present to emergency medical personnel as well as a copy of your insurance card. Important numbers for your doctor, family members and insurance company are necessary as well.

Other Things to Think About

In addition to creating your emergency first aid food allergy kit, you will want to educate those around you at work, home, and school or anywhere you plan to store your kit. They need to know what to do should you show signs of an allergic reaction. In addition, check the expiration dates on your medications you store in there and replace as needed. If you think you might have trouble remembering to do it, program your computer to give you a reminder or write it on your calendar. Most of all get the advice of your doctor to ensure that you have everything you need in your emergency kit. Those items could one day save your life.