Who needs an epinephrine auto-injector — and why?
An epinephrine auto-injector is a self-injecting syringe that administers epinephrine, a type of adrenaline. It can quickly reverse severe allergic symptoms, known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms may include respiratory problems, throat swelling, a drop in blood pressure or even a loss of consciousness. Various allergens can trigger these reactions. The most common reactions are food, insect stings, medicines and latex. Sometimes allergens are nearly impossible to avoid, so people who know they are at risk for anaphylaxis should always carry an auto-injector. 5. How are food allergies treated? Eight foods account for about 90 percent of all food allergies. These include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. People who are allergic to these foods should simply stay away from them. “Most food allergies occur because of accidental ingestion,” Dr. Varadarajulu says. “Many times the reaction can be very severe, resulting in anaphylaxis. Anyone with a known severe food all
