– Ideal for storing asthma medication or EpiPens. – Customised insert allows staff to clearly identify the child, days they attend the centre or school, medication details including expiry dates. – Insulated and large enough for a spacer.
Asthma Insulated Medicine Bag
Our Blue asthma bag is a firm favourite because it can fit a small spacer, asthma medication, an action plan, an EpiPens, and wipes, yet it’s still small enough to store away or to hang in a classroom. Because our blue asthma carrier bags are practical and affordable, they’re perfect for purchasing in multiples, so you have one for each location (home, school, backpack, grandparents.)
The most important bag you’ll ever purchase
Asthma insulated carrier bags go beyond just providing asthma and EpiPen medication storage, they:
Stand out and are easily identifiable during an emergency. Perfect for kindy, childcare or school.
The asthma bag tag allows for easy identification in an emergency; the clearly designed label ensures the correct child’s medication is quickly and easily accessed.
The customised insert allows staff to clearly identify the child, their allergies, days of attendance, medication details and expiry dates.
They are specifically designed to support children at risk of allergies and asthma.
Bag Dimensions: 21 x 9 x 19cm
PLEASE CONTACT US if you would like to be invoiced – Ph – 0415 4400 50 or info@myfoodallergyfriends.com
– Ideal for storing asthma medication or EpiPens. – Customised insert allows staff to clearly identify the child, days they attend the centre or school, medication details including expiry dates. – Insulated and large enough for a spacer.
Asthma Insulated Medicine Bag
Our Blue asthma bag is a firm favourite because it can fit a small spacer, asthma medication, an action plan, an EpiPens, and wipes, yet it’s still small enough to store away or to hang in a classroom. Because our blue asthma carrier bags are practical and affordable, they’re perfect for purchasing in multiples, so you have one for each location (home, school, backpack, grandparents.)
The most important bag you’ll ever purchase
Asthma insulated carrier bags go beyond just providing asthma and EpiPen medication storage, they:
Stand out and are easily identifiable during an emergency. Perfect for kindy, childcare or school.
The asthma bag tag allows for easy identification in an emergency; the clearly designed label ensures the correct child’s medication is quickly and easily accessed.
The customised insert allows staff to clearly identify the child, their allergies, days of attendance, medication details and expiry dates.
They are specifically designed to support children at risk of allergies and asthma.
Bag Dimensions: 23 x 8 x 23cm
PLEASE CONTACT US if you would like to be invoiced – Ph – 0415 4400 50 or info@myfoodallergyfriends.com
What if some of your fears, anxieties and worries surrounding yours or your child’s allergies could be lessened with a simple EpiPen bag? It might just look like a red medical bag, but it is so much more; it saves lives.
PLEASE CONTACT US if you would like to be invoiced – Ph – 0415 4400 50 or info@myfoodallergyfriends.com
EpiPen Insulated Medicine Bag
Our red EpiPen case is a firm favourite because it can fit not one but TWO EpiPens, antihistamine, a small spacer, asthma medication, an action plan, pen, and wipes, yet it’s still small enough to store away or to hang in a classroom. Because our red Epi carrier bags are practical and affordable, they’re perfect for purchasing in multiples, so you have one for each location (home, school, backpack, grandparents.)
The most important bag you’ll ever purchase
EpiPen insulated carrier bags go beyond just providing EpiPen and asthma medication storage, they:
Stand out and are easily identifiable during an emergency. Perfect for kindy, childcare or school.
The EpiPen bag tag allows for easy identification in an emergency; the clearly designed label ensures the correct child’s medication is quickly and easily accessed.
The customised insert allows staff to clearly identify the child, their allergies, days of attendance, medication details and expiry dates.
They are specifically designed to support children at risk of anaphylaxis
Our EpiPen Bag is more than just a medication holder; it’s the most important bag you’ll ever purchase. Thai, the main character in our food allergy book series, would agree and so do our customers. Read their reviews!
Bag Dimensions: 23 x 8 x 23cm
PLEASE CONTACT US if you would like to be invoiced – Ph – 0415 4400 50 or info@myfoodallergyfriends.com
– Ideal for storing asthma medication or EpiPens. – Customised insert allows staff to clearly identify the child, days they attend the centre or school, medication details including expiry dates. – Insulated and large enough for a spacer.
Asthma Insulated Medicine Bag
Our Blue asthma bag is a firm favourite because it can fit a small spacer, asthma medication, an action plan, an EpiPens, and wipes, yet it’s still small enough to store away or to hang in a classroom. Because our blue asthma carrier bags are practical and affordable, they’re perfect for purchasing in multiples, so you have one for each location (home, school, backpack, grandparents.)
The most important bag you’ll ever purchase
Asthma insulated carrier bags go beyond just providing asthma and EpiPen medication storage, they:
Stand out and are easily identifiable during an emergency. Perfect for kindy, childcare or school.
The asthma bag tag allows for easy identification in an emergency; the clearly designed label ensures the correct child’s medication is quickly and easily accessed.
The customised insert allows staff to clearly identify the child, their allergies, days of attendance, medication details and expiry dates.
They are specifically designed to support children at risk of allergies and asthma.
Bag Dimensions: 23 x 8 x 23cm
PLEASE CONTACT US if you would like to be invoiced – Ph – 0415 4400 50 or info@myfoodallergyfriends.com
Anapen 300®, Anapen 500®, and Anapen 150 Junior® (Anapen Junior) adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjectors have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the treatment of anaphylaxis.
Anapen 300®, Anapen 500®, and Anapen 150 Junior® will be available in Australia on the PBS in September 2021.
Make sure your teaching staff feel confident and know how to use one.
If you are a parent it’s important that anyone that cares for your child is confident in administering the new Anapen.
info@myfoodallergyfriends.com or call 0415 4400 50
– Ideal for storing antihistamine, general medication, asthma medication or EpiPens. – Customised insert allows staff to clearly identify the child, days they attend the centre or school, medication details including expiry dates. – Insulated and large enough for a spacer.
Please note the colour is actually a bottle green as in the photo below
This insulated allergy bag is easily identifiable in an emergency. The clearly designed label ensures that the correct child’s medication is quickly accessed in an emergency.
Dimensions: 21.5 x 5.5 x 18 cm
PLEASE CONTACT US if you would like to be invoiced – Ph – 0415 4400 50 or info@myfoodallergyfriends.com
Allergy education is now an essential part of prevention strategies on managing allergies in schools.
For students, learning how to support their peers and recognise an allergic reaction is an important life-saving lesson.
The Food Allergy SMART Program will help students become allergy smart from Prep – Grade 3.
The School Allergy Pack includes:
– Four educational children’s allergy books – with teaching points
– Printable Discussion points for teachers
– 10 allergy awareness posters – visual posters for preps who are not yet reading
– Tips for parents – starting school sheet, emailed and hard copy to share with parents
– Parent/teacher guide on food allergies
– Certificates, activity sheets, and handouts are emailed to your school
– Teachers Guide – Australian curriculum aligned, how to use this pack
– Includes facts for your newsletter
– Allergy Awareness School Box – keeps resources together and clearly visible on a shelf
School Supplier
This pack is available for schools and teachers. If you would prefer to be invoiced please send us an email
with your school details and a pack will be posted to your school along with an invoice.
Often we talk about how to avoid allergic reactions,
but this is only part of the picture
WHAT IS ANAPHYLAXIS?
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment with adrenaline or epinephrine.
Anaphylaxis can occur after exposure to an allergen such as food, insects, latex, exercise and medicine. Several factors can influence the severity of an allergic reaction such as how much food the person has eaten, how this food was cooked, route of exposure, how well the person was at the time of exposure, such as illness or active asthma.
It is important to know ALL the signs of ANAPHYLAXIS
Difficult / noisy breathing
Swelling of the tongue
Swelling / tightness in the throat
Wheeze or persistent cough
Difficulty talking and or hoarse voice
Persistent dizziness and or collapse
Pale and floppy (young children)
It often involves several body systems such as
To help you begin the conversation with your child we have created a children’s book covering anaphylaxis.
The aim of this book is to help you discuss the following:
What is likely to happen to their body, discuss all the symptoms that may occur
What happens when we use an EpiPen
What is likely to happen in the ambulance and after they get to hospital
How this may make them feel
It’s vital that every child with food allergies knows the facts so they can act and get help quickly.
Reactions vary, so it’s important to discuss all the signs and symptoms a child may experience with their body.
Auto-Injectors and Action Plans
WHAT IS AN AUTO-INJECTOR?
An auto-injector is a medical device used to treat anaphylaxis. In Australia, we currently have two types of auto-injectors called an EpiPen® and Anapen®.
An EpiPen® contains a single, pre-measured dose of adrenaline (epinephrine) and has been designed to be given by non-medical people such as parents, teachers, grandparents, older children, and the patient themselves (if they are well enough
to do so.) Adrenaline works quickly to reverse the symptoms of anaphylaxis. Adrenaline is a short-acting drug and the effects can wear off quickly. A second dose can be given after five minutes if there has been no improvement.
There are two types of EpiPen®.
*EpiPen® Jr (0.15 mg) is recommended for children between 7.5 and 20kg
*EpiPen® (0.3 mg) is recommended for children and adults over 20kg
* These dosage recommendations are based on expert opinion regarding recommended dose for weight and clinical trials of injected adrenaline in children, which is currently at slight variance with the product information leaflet.
In other countries, they have the following auto-injectors EpiPen® – Anapen® – Auvi-Q™ – Jext® – Allerject™ – Adrenaclick® – Twinject® and Emerade®
Further Information for our New Zealand Food Allergy Friends
EpiPens are not funded in NZ. Allergy NZ have been successful in getting the ACC scheme (Accident Compensation Corporation a government programme unique to NZ) to accept claims for anaphylaxis.
Contact Allergy New Zealand Inc for information about ACC claims for anaphylaxis:
Update to Anapen® Product Information (PI) September 2022
The TGA has approved a change to the Anapen® PI. After firing, Anapen®should be held on the leg for 3 seconds.This change ensures both adrenaline autoinjectors are aligned with injection time and minimises risk of confusion.
Anapen® is available in three doses:
Anapen® Junior 150
contains adrenaline (adrenaline/epinephrine) dose of 150 micrograms/0.3 mL
Anapen® 300
contains adrenaline (adrenaline/epinephrine) dose of 300 micrograms/0.3 mL
Anapen® 500
contains adrenaline (adrenaline/epinephrine) dose of 500 micrograms/0.3 mL
Anapen® is widely available in Australian pharmacies.
From 1st September, Anapen® autoinjectors are subsidised by the PBS. You will need a new authority prescription from your allergist/immunologist, paediatrician, respiratory physician or if you have a repeat prescription from your GP. Please note that you may be entitled to have up to two pens reimbursed though the PBS per year.
ASCIA Adrenaline Injector Dose Recommendations
Children 7.5-20kg (aged around one to five years):
EpiPen® Junior (150 microgram) or
Anapen® 150 (Jr) (150 microgram)
Adults and children over 20kg (aged around five years or over):
EpiPen® (300 microgram) or
Anapen® 300 (300 microgram)
Adults and children over 50kg (aged around twelve years or over):
New *Anapen® 500 (500 microgram) or
Anapen® 300 (300 microgram) or
EpiPen® (300 microgram).
We have created Anapen resources for you to educate your family and community.
ASCIA has designed an anaphylaxis e-training course for anaphylaxis education throughout Australia and New Zealand. It has been designed to be used by parents, friends, students, patients, work colleagues and carers.
An Action Plan is designed to help you mange an Allergic Reaction giving you step-by-step guidelines of recognising and treating an allergic reaction. ASCIA also have action plans to manage other allergic conditions such as Allergic Rhinitis, Eczema and Fpies. Your Action Plan should always be kept with your EpiPens®.
The real Thai had his first reaction when he was seven. Thai had an anaphylactic reaction to milk.
His symptoms played out very differently from his past reactions. There wasn’t a single hive on his body. Thai learned how his body could react and how it could be different each time. He shares his story as he wants others to learn from his experience and know that the EpiPen is nothing to fear.
WATCH HIS STORY BELOW
CHANGES TO INSTRUCTIONS ON EPIPEN® ADMINISTRATION 13 JUNE 2017
The devices have not changed, just the instructions on the label, which now include:
Reduced injection time from 10 to 3 seconds – this is based on research confirming delivery of adrenaline through the 3 second delivery time.
Removal of the massage step after the injection – this has been found to reduce the risk of irritation at the injection site.
A new short video featuring Dr Andrew Rochford, explaining the changes
VISIT AN AMBULANCE STATION
A few months after Thai’s reaction we visited an open day at an ambulance station. He learnt about all the equipment the paramedics used and even got to turn the sirens on. This was a great way to help him process what had happened and would be a good place to visit before your child ever needs an ambulance ride.
Here are some images of what the real Thai discovered.
Making the siren work!
Inside the ambulance
Pulse Oximeter
The bed has seat belts and a chair for mum or dad
Having my blood pressure taken
Check out when your local ambulance station is having their next open day.
IT’S NOT JUST NUTS THAT CAUSE ANAPHYLAXIS
Let’s Talk Anaphylaxis campaign.
As part of this project we not only wanted to bring you the book but also to talk and share information about anaphylaxis.
We wanted to hear real stories from children and parents. Below are some food allergy friends brave enough to share their story with YOU.
Thank you to our young food allergy friends for sharing you thoughts and stories with us.
Please note these are personal views of our food allergy friends only. Any medical advice should always be sought from your child’s allergist.
If you or your child would like to either share your anaphylaxis story or be part of our Let’s Talk Anaphylaxis videos get in contact with us.
THAI’S FIRST AMBULANCE RIDE
Thai thought it may be helpful for others to see what his stay in hospital was like. Below are some pictures we took once the real Thai was feeling better.
Ambulances have seat belts to make you feel safe. There is also a chair for mum or dad.
At first I didn’t feel very well but the nurses looked after me
Then I started to feel better
4 hours is a long time to hang around
Mum remembered to grab Rabbie.
Did you recognise this image from the book? Hear the real conversation the brothers had.
After 4 hours Thai was feeling much better and wanted to ring his brother Finn who was at a friends house. Not all children recover so quickly but we wanted others to see hospital is not a scary place and the doctors will help you feel better.
AFTER ANAPHYLAXIS
The day after Thai’s reaction
GO OVER ANY CRISIS EVENT AND TALK ABOUT IT WITH YOUR FAMILY.
Debrief and check in with each family member after experiencing anaphylaxis. Discuss symptoms they experienced, and positive lessons they learned. Discuss emotions they may now have after experiencing such an event. Include other children in this discussion. It can be quite a shock seeing a sibling experience a life-threatening reaction and can stir many emotions and fears. Seek professional support.
THE AFTER SHOCK – YOUR STORY
We have had 2 reactions in one month, one being an anaphylactic shock and the other an ambulance trip to the hospital and me giving the EpiPen to Arda. Arda is not the same child anymore. He is extremely angry, seems like he even has a temper and is extremely scared. At night he gets scared of the darkness, I cant leave him for a minute. His eyes are always on me. He asked me on a couple of nights if we should bring the EpiPen into our bed just in case!!! When he went to my brothers house, he asked me if there would be nuts on the floor again. He keeps looking in his medical bag to see if everything is in there. This breaks my heart, as all this thinking is way too much for a 3.5 year old.
Finally the first time in 2 months Arda has gone to bed without me. It’s been a very tiring 2 months and up until this week he wouldn’t play in our garden without me, wouldn’t sit in the lounge without me, leaving him for seconds only started working this week. Tonight was his first night he slept without me and didn’t even call me next to him. We have been taking him out heaps, which has helped. We have been reading more than usual and he has been talking to his almost 2 year old sister about food allergies. He never ever takes food from the ground anymore. When we are out and he wants an ice cream, he asks me if it is safe and has no egg in them (he is such a darling)… so hopefully in the next few days we may have more changes, I must say … it is all about patience!
PRACTICE WITH A TRAINER EPIPEN
Regular practice with a trainer EpiPen will help you and your family feel confident if the need should ever arise and you need to use the real thing. You can also practice on an orange with expired pens. An important tip to remember is not to store your trainer pen with the real thing!
We are excited to announce The Food Allergy Smart Education Program will be coming to the Yorke Peninsula!
I will be holding 5 events in 24 hours. We have local schools and childcare centres all participating, plus we have a community event happening on the 29th March.
We hope to have many parents, carers, extended family, business owners, sports coaches, food service and community members all join us for my talk on Caring For Children With Food Allergies – raising awareness in YOUR community.
Just wanted to say say a big THANK YOU to everyone who came to the allergy sessions and the community event to learn more about food allergies and caring for children. You all made me feel so welcome and it was just so wonderful to see you all involved with educating so many children about allergies. I’m taking a short holiday with my family tomorrow for some much needed family time. When I return I will be sharing my experiences and using your town as a great example of how a community can be Food Allergy Smart. Thank you to Bec for doing such a great job at bringing everyone together. Thank you all again. Jackie
Wonderful to see an entire community embrace food allergies. This is a newspaper article about my recent Yorke Peninsula tour.
Yorke Peninsula Allergy Tour
Wonderful to see an entire community embrace food allergies. A behind-the-scenes look at my Yorke Peninsula Tour March 2017.
For more information on allergy awareness events contact – Jackie Nevard
An Action Plan is designed to help you mange an Allergic Reaction giving you step-by-step guidelines of recognising and treating an allergic reaction. ASCIA also have action plans to manage other allergic conditions such as Allergic Rhinitis, Eczema and Fpies. Your Action Plan should always be kept with your EpiPens®.
