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Allerchic

Stephanie has almost 20yrs experience as a nurse including time in Children’s Ward & working with Infection Control where she was first exposed to caring for patients with Eczema, Asthma & Allergies. As a mother with a child who suffers anaphylaxis & eczema she became frustrated in not being able to source appropriate products for her daughter. So Stephanie started Allerchic, The online Eczema, Asthma & Allergy Shop. www.allerchic.com.au

Here is Stephanies story.

Allergies affect 1 in 3 Australians at some stage in their lives.

The first time we knew something was wrong our 18mth old was in the kitchen making a Pavlova with her nanna. She put her finger in the mix for a taste & almost immediately started flicking her hand around, we washed her hand revealing bright red skin & blisters underneath. An hour later her hand & around her mouth & cheek were covered in a red rash.

Thank goodness she did not get that little finger into her mouth.

We were referred to Westmead Children’s hospital for allergy testing with an Immunologist after numerous paediatrician appointments & a diagnosis of Eczemawhich continued to worsen. A later diagnosis revealed numerous allergies including; Anaphylactic allergies to tree nuts & eggs. We were given education sessions on how to use the Epipen (an adrenaline pen) in case of a severe allergic reaction, an anaphylaxis plan as well as clear instructions to avoid all foods containing Nuts & Eggs.

Driving home our minds were racing; What if she had put that egg white in her mouth? No more birthday cakes, biscuits, bacon & eggs on a Sunday. No more pikelets, pancakes, lasagne, or even the special treat chicken nuggets! ….I wish I could go back & reassure those stressed parents with what I now know that there are GREAT alternatives available for people with food allergies.

Educating family & friends just how severe her allergies are is the difficulty. “She can have a musk stick cant she? No they have traces of nuts! What do you mean it’s a lolly? Once you have to start reading packaging labels you would be really shocked to learn what some foods contain or contain traces of…

Australia has one of the fastest growing allergy rates in the developed world. Someone you know probably has a severe food allergy or carries an Epipen. Allergies don’t just start when we are babies, toddlers or children. Just as you can grow out of an allergy, Allergic Reaction can happen at any age, & it may occur with a food or substance that you have had or been exposed to numerous times before.

I don’t want to scare anyone but this information is very important, anaphylaxis can be fatal. Do you know the signs of severe allergic reaction/anaphylaxis?

They can include one or all of the following:

• Swelling of lips, eyelids or face
• Swelling of the tongue
• Swelling or tight feeling in the throat
• Noisy or difficult breathing
• Dizziness or c ollapse
• Pale or Floppy (in children)
• Someone having anaphylaxis to an insect bite may show signs including; Abdominal pain, Nausea, vomiting

If you notice any of the following call an Ambulance! Severe allergic reaction happens fast & you must act quickly. If the person having the allergic reaction has an Epipen, give the injection, Note the time & again CALL an AMBULANCE!

If you suspect your child or someone you know has an allergy see your Medical Practitioner for a referral for allergy testing, to confirm what you are dealing with.

As for us, the fact we must carry our Epipen everywhere we go has become second nature. Our 3yr old knows she must take her own food & wear her allergy alert T-shirt to parties & outings. She started at a Great preschool this year that is very supportive & educated in allergies & the use of her Epipen. She even tries a new excuse for not eating Veggies “I t hink broccoli has Eggs in it, I can’t eat eggs”.

We are a family happily living with allergies.