Allergy Shots for Kids Facebook Group!

Going through this allergy shot (allergen immunotherapy) journey has had many ups and downs.  I just started a Facebook Group "Allergy Shots for Kids" to be able to share those ups and downs, and find support from other parents who's children are on the same path.

My daughter is just about to reach maintenance! That means we will go in just once a month! We are all very excited about that!  The biggest hurdle to reach this point for us was the initial allergy shot. My daughter's fear of needles was overwhelming, and she would cry and shake just thinking about it. Thankfully we found ways to conquer that fear, and after the first painless shot, she was able to calmly start her journey towards better health. 

If you or your child have gone through this journey, or are just starting allergy shots, feel free to join the group to talk about your experience, your child's experience, advice on allergy shots, and any fears you or your child may have. The link to the group:  Allergy Shots for Kids (Allergen Immunotherapy)

Allergies, Asthma, and Getting Ready for School, or: We are Always Late

Rush, rush, rush!  

If you are disorganized like me, then you too probably run a bit late in the morning. Add on a must take list of medications for allergies and asthma, and it is a recipe for chronic scurrying, and tardiness.

Many a time while trying to feed my kids, get them dressed, and out the door on time, I forget my daughter's medications until we are walking out the door. I know that inhalers can not be rushed, the breathing needs to be done right, a good rinsing needs to happen afterword, and if needed, a nebulizer breathing treatment takes a good 20 minutes. This is not something that should be left until the last minute as we are scrambling to be on time for school. Plus this is not something that can be overlooked, even for one day. The worst call is one from the nurse's office asking you to please bring in the daily antihistamine, or inhaler that was forgotten before school as your child is itching and sneezing like crazy, or coughing non stop.

Just the other day, both kids were fed, dressed, hats and coats ready to go on, and my son decided that he was not happy with his outfit for the day, and "re-dressed" himself.  As I was rushing through my daughter's medications, pill, pill, inhaler, inhaler, nasal spray, etc. I turned to see his hamper running across the floor, with his two bare legs going as fast as they could go. "Mommy! I get dressed all by myself!" he squealed with glee as he ran in circles around the living room. I swear I have a sense of humor, but at the time, it was NOT funny.

I scrambled to finish my daughter's medications, caught the little stinker, and threw some clothes on him, just in time, to be 5 minutes late. On the way home I thought about how if I had not left my daughter's medications to the last minute (again), I could have laughed and enjoyed the moment, but as we were pushing the tardy cut off as it was, with yet another inhaler to give, I was not amused. Not even one bit.

So, I am going to make a change. New Years resolution: Medications first thing in the morning, and no more rushing around like a headless turkey right before we walk out the door for school.

To Grandmother's House We Go: Packing for Asthma, Allergies, and Eczema

While we are blessed with a fantastic, accommodating, and understanding family, sometimes visiting relatives gets tricky when you have celiac disease, food allergies, eczema, and asthma.

Packing for Grandma's for the atopic child (asthma, allergies, eczema) 

This is not medical advice! It is just my opinion! 

Food seems to be the most difficult part of traveling with these conditions but allergies to Grandma's fluffy cat, or pesky pollen allergies, can cause major headaches for everyone, not to mention asthma attacks.  Eczema can flare in the new environment, and a carefree trip can turn into an itchy, wheezy mess. 

If we are dropping the kids off for a stay by themselves: 

* We make a list of safe foods, with their exact brand names and flavors in case we did not pack enough. We are lucky to have family that knows how to shop for our allergen set, and gluten free needs, but a list is still helpful!

* We leave a list of medications, and the times that they are given. 

*  All emergency medications are kept together in a SafetySack with a list of emergency numbers and emergency action plan. 

*  Daily medications are kept together as well with a list of when and how much to give. 

Lets Get Packing! The kids are excited, and ready to go!

Asthma:

All prescribed medications such as:
Nebulizer with medication
Rescue inhaler
Daily preventative/controller inhaler

Allergies (environmental):

All prescribed medication such as: Daily antihistamine, Nasal spray, Emergency antihistamine
Pillow- with dust mite encasing
One set of bedding- pillow case, sheets, blanket
Laundry detergent- small travel sized scent free/dye free

Allergies (food):

All prescribed medications such as: Antihistamines, Epipens, must keep both epipens together. Bring more than one set if possible. 

We make sure to bring food enough for at least one day, and the car ride.  If there is a grocery store nearby that has staple allergen free foods that we can purchase, and we have not packed enough for the entire stay, then we try to go shopping that first day, or the next morning. You can also mark safe food boxes with stickers so your children can see which foods are safe for them. 

Food for the trip as there may not be a place to eat on the way that can cater to your set of allergies.
Breakfast foods like dry cereal, instant cereal, or easy pre-made frozen food like waffles, sausage
Snacks: whole fruits, crackers, chips, etc.
Lunch staples, safe lunch meat can be packed in a cooler, allergen free breads, sliced veggies, and safe spreads such as Sunbutter, or soybutter, and allergen free jam.
Dinner, also can be pre-made, and packed in a cooler or frozen. Safe box mixes, like gluten/allergen free mac and cheese.
Drinks that are allergen free such as an allergen free juice or milk.
Dessert: An allergen free box of cookies for the grandparents to hand out, and maybe some pre-made brownies, or cupcakes.

Eczema:

All prescribed medications such as: Steroid creams

Hydrating Creams such as CeraVe Cream (not the lotion) 

Special Shampoo
such as tar shampoo, or head and shoulders for scalp eczema

Barrier ointment such as Petroleum Jelly

Gentle cleansers for bath time. We love Cetaphil wash and Free&Clear wash

Cotton PJs- long sleeved, to put over moisturizer cream

Emergency Medication and Information:
I keep all emergency medications, and numbers in a Safety Sack which is made of hard plastic, has a zipper, and is transparent. It also comes with a sheet to list allergens, emergency numbers, and an emergency action plan.
The SafetySack has a ring so that it can be hung anywhere in the home, like the kitchen, and brought along in a large purse for outings. It fits both inhalers, a spacer, two EpipenJR or Avi-Q, and Benadryl.

Practice your Emergency Action Plan with your host, if they are to babysit for any length of time, and make sure they are comfortable using the EpipenJR or Auvi-Q, and emergency inhalers with spacer. Bring the EpipenJR or Avi-Q trainers to practice together. You can also practice with an expired EpipenJR, or Avi-Q by injecting into an orange. 

It may seem overwhelming, and it can be at first, but with practice, road trips to Grandma's become easy to plan for! 

Great Resources for Caretakers:
A Pocket Guide to Food Allergies for Grandparents - Written for Grandparents. Short and sweet.
 "Food Allergies for Dummies" - Funny name, but comprehensive, and easy to read. My favorite!
http://epipentraining.com/  - A fantastic online course on the signs of anaphylaxis & using Epipens.
Kids With Food Allergies - A great resource for parents and caregivers
FARE - Food Allergy Research and Education