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As an E.D. physician I can tell anaphylaxis is much more prevelent than reported. It is unfortunate that injectable epinephrine is underprescribed. Physicians often wait for cardiovascular or respiratory symptoms. A systemic reaction may be as mild as a nausea. they may be no hives present. Also 35% of pt's who need self injectable epinephrine will need a second dose. ANYONE WHO HAS ANY TYPE OF ANAPHYLACTIC HISTORY SHOULD CARRY AT LEAST 2 EPINEPHRINE DOSE'S WITH THEM AT ALL TIME Parents make sure your kids have 2 doses at home at school day care etc.. 90% of pt's who die from anaphylaxis did not have epinephrine available.

this story is a classic example of no matter how much you try to avoid your allergen its not always possible no matter how much you try.

As an E.D. physician I can tell anaphylaxis is much more prevelent than reported. It is unfortunate that injectable epinephrine is underprescribed. Physicians often wait for cardiovascular or respiratory symptoms. A systemic reaction may be as mild as a nausea. they may be no hives present. Also 35% of pt's who need self injectable epinephrine will need a second dose. ANYONE WHO HAS ANY TYPE OF ANAPHYLACTIC HISTORY SHOULD CARRY AT LEAST 2 EPINEPHRINE DOSE'S WITH THEM AT ALL TIME Parents make sure your kids have 2 doses at home at school day care etc.. 90% of pt's who die from anaphylaxis did not have epinephrine available.

this story is a classic example of no matter how much you try to avoid your allergen its not always possible no matter how much you try.

I had a large exposure to mold this summer. I knew as a kid I was allergic to it and took shots. When I had the exposure this time due to a leaking roof I found out I had Asthma to go with the allergy. I went back to an allergy doctor for testing and he started the shots. Since I was allergic {excessive localized swelling} to bee stings he did testing for that also. This summer I was carrying two inhalers and the epipen kit every where I went. Hopefully by next spring I'll be pretty well desensitized to stings at least. Doctor also recommended carrying an OTC Primatine inhaler in case I got stung. He said use the pen then inhale up to the whole cylinder if breathing became compromised. Most allergies are treatable to the point a reaction can be eliminated or somewhat limited but there are exceptions.

One thing I don't understand though is ER's switch from using Benadryl injections to Vistarl {sp} injection for hives. As a teenager with hives I was given Benadryl. Now the past few times have been Visrarl which is not near as effective and I end up taking the dreaded Prednisone as well. The only thing I can think of would be Benadryl may be more of a risk for adverse reactions?