When your first food allergy reaction takes place in the air

Can you imagine flying home from a family vacation and having a first-time anaphylactic reaction in the air? Did you know that airlines are not required to stock their planes with easy-to-use auto-injectors that any adult or child could operate? Francine’s family was flying back home from vacation on American Airlines. Her 10-year-old son, who had no history of food allergy, ate the warm mixed nuts they served and immediately had stomach pain, chest pain, and stridor when breathing. Francine told me that, “If not for the nurse who administered the Epi-Pen and cared for him the entire trip and passengers who gave us their Epi-Pens this would have been fatal.” Travel by air is a unique situation for those with food allergies because passengers are in an enclosed space that is far away from immediate medical care. This testimonial, and others like it, serves as a painful reminder that food allergies can strike at any age to any person and be triggered by any food. A new study shows over 50 percent of people with potentially harmful food allergies have actually developed them as adults. This is truly frightening considering many airlines still serve potential trigger foods among them nuts and shellfish. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Patient Allergies & Immunology Emergency Medicine Source Type: blogs