Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Choosing The Right Epipen Carrier

By Anita Ortega


For those with severe allergies that could cause anaphylaxis, epinephrine could save their life in the event of a reaction. Having immediate access to this drug can be critical. Choosing the right epipen carrier can help allergy sufferers and their caregivers make sure they are prepared.

An auto-injector containing the drug epinephrine is commonly known as an epipen. This device is thought to be the quickest way to administer the proper amount of the drug if a life-threatening reaction caused by a specific food, insect bite or other allergen occurs. A reaction of this type is known as anaphylaxis and might result in itchy hives, other rashes, tightness in the throat or trouble breathing.

Anyone who has a known allergy of this nature must carry epinephrine with them at all times. This includes adults, teenagers and even children. However, until a child is old enough to understand their allergy and the responsibility of carrying their own medication, it may be best for a parent or other caregiver to take charge of the supplies.

Even though they're not that large, epipens just don't seem fit very well in clothing pockets. Most allergy sufferers simply keep them in their purse, backpack or jacket. However, new types of carriers designed specifically for transporting an auto-injector are now on the market.

It seems designers considered today's active lifestyles when designing many of the newer carriers. Allergy sufferers can now make sure they are prepared for an emergency while still going about their daily routine. This is also helpful for parents of allergy sufferers, as they won't worry as much about their child forgetting or misplacing their medication.

Some designs, such as the ankle strap and waist band pouches, are easily secured to the body and concealed under clothing. These are great choices for active teenagers who might not be able to carry a bag at all times or might not want others to notice. There are also zippered pouches with special loops that can be attached to your own belt or backpack. These are a good option for adults that need to carry the medication for a child, as the pouch can be easily switched to another belt or bag when needed. For young children that are ready to take charge of their own medication, there are fun designs similar to stuffed toy animals that they'll want to keep with them at all times.

While these newer carriers provide a convenient way to transport an epipen, some also include medical identification cards or a special tag that can be attached. Important information, such as type of allergy, emergency contact, your name, phone number and address, can be quickly accessed from the card or tag in an emergency. In addition to being critical in an emergency situation, having this information on your carrier could help if the pouch was accidentally misplaced.

Anyone with a known life-threatening allergy should keep an epipen nearby at all times. If a person was suffering from anaphylaxis, quick access to the drug epinephrine could make a huge difference. Fortunately, there are many new styles of carriers that make it simpler for allergy sufferers or caregivers to lead active lifestyles while still carrying an epipen.




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