Texas Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies At-Risk for Anaphylaxis

The new Texas guidelines have been released!

Susan Tharp, leader of the San Antonio Food Allergy Support Team, of which I am a member, sent me the link to the Texas Department of State Health Services website, where they have posted the guidelines that we have been waiting to view.  The link to the 77-page document is below:  

Guidelines for the Care of Students with Food Allergies At-Risk for Anaphylaxis To Implement Senate Bill 27

Susan, and many other people, worked so very hard, traveling to Austin, rallying, talking to legislators and campaigning to have this bill passed.  I am so grateful to them for all their hard work.  My daughter is still a few years away from being school-aged, but this gives me hope for the future.  It is promising that these types of guidelines are being put into place and that dialogues have opened up among parents, students and administrators and now things are being made more official.  While it is true that they are guidelines and not "laws" or "rules", it is still a major step forward in protecting children and keeping them safe in the school environment.  These are a few of the people that I would like to thank for their contribution to the passing of SB 27.  It is definitely not an all-inclusive list, since I was not involved in the passing of this legislation and am sure to miss many of the people who worked hard behind the scenes, but I want to give my thanks to those of whom I am aware.

Author of the Bill:
Senator Judith Zaffirini

Co-Authors:
Senator John Carona
Senator Wendy Davis
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Senator Kirk Watson

Sponsors:
Senator Dan Branch
Senator Scott Hochberg

Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network:
Michael Lade
Chris Weiss

Food Allergy Initiative:
Mary Jane Marchisotto
Drew Bird, M.D.

Food Allergy Parents/Advocates:
Beth Martinez
Susan Tharp
Christy Johnson
Regina Matus
Casey Jansen
Donna Cowman
Kristie Serio
Rachael Dedman

Dallas Children's Allergy Clinic:
Carol Bieler
Caroline Nixon

It's going to take me a while to make it through the entire document, but so far I am finding it very informative, even aside from the guidelines aspect.  Here are some things that fall under the category of, "Hmm, I did not know that..."  (Or, I wasn't entirely sure about that...)

"There are no medical conditions which absolutely prohibit the use of epinephrine when anaphylaxis occurs." ~Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 1105-1118.

"In approximately one third of anaphylactic reactions, the initial symptoms are followed by a delayed wave of symptoms two to four hours later.  This combination of an early phase of symptoms followed by a late phase of symptoms is defined as a biphasic reaction.  While initial symptoms respond to epinephrine, the delayed biphasic response may not respond to epinephrine and may not be prevented by steroids."

(I'll have to report back, later, with more...still reading...)

FAAN Walk for Food Allergy 2012

We're participating in the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) Walk for Food Allergy in Austin, this year, and I figured I would ask if anyone out there would like to make a contribution to our team.

Last year, I participated as a Virtual Walker (I have a muscle-weakness condition that makes long walks an issue), but this year we are all going to attend, in-person, as a family!  I am participating in a clinical trial for a new medication and it is working amazingly well.  I only have it for another 9 months, so I'm going to make the most of it! :)

My fundraising goal is $500, but I will match that with a personal donation of $500 if I can reach my personal fundraising goal!  The site has a minimum donation amount of $10, but if you would like to contribute a smaller amount (and I truly believe that every Dollar/Peso/Euro counts), you can make a donation via PayPal.  Donations made via the PayPal account will not be tax-deductible, however, but it does give you another option.

To donate directly via the FAAN Walk Site, please click below:

To donate via PayPal (for amounts less than the $10 minimum required by the walk site), please use this button:

Always Carry Epinephrine

Of all the lessons in the food allergy world, I think the #1 lesson is ALWAYS CARRY EPINEPHRINE.  Always, always, always.  We can read labels all day long, but items are sometimes mislabeled. Cross-contamination warnings are voluntary and trace amounts can slip into foods.  Even when we are at our most vigilant, mistakes can be made.  New allergies can develop.  There are so many scenarios under which you might find yourself needing that life-saving medicine and it needs to be within arm's reach, at all times.  Having epinephrine with you does not mean that you will let your guard down, or stop being ever-vigilant and cautious.  It just means that if something happens and an allergen slips past the gates, and leads to an anaphylactic reaction, you will be prepared.

It might be a "pain" to carry it around, but consider the alternative.  Past reactions are no indication of the severity of future reactions.  If you have been diagnosed with a food allergy and have been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector, it was for a REASON.  If you believe you have fully outgrown your allergy/allergies, do not stop carrying your epinephrine without first consulting your allergist.

Don't gamble with your life.  

Keep that ACE up your sleeve. 

(Or in your bag, strapped to your belt, your leg...ANYWHERE!) 

Always Carry Epinephrine!

The Brookline Families with Food Allergies site has an excellent listing with sites that carry EpiPen carriers.

This is a great video from One Spot Allergy about their "The Best EpiPen Belt".

Also, have a look at my Important Information post, for more information.  The most important point on there is that Benadryl (or any other anti-histamine) has no life-saving capabilities!