For Parents of Kids with Food Allergies, the Scariest Thing at Halloween is the Trick-or-Treat Bag |
- Be prepared to avoid food-allergy horrors at Halloween - |
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., -- The haunted happenings of Halloween are upon us and soon we'll be carving pumpkins, dressing in costumes and telling spooky stories. |
But if your child has a food allergy, what's at
the bottom of his or her trick-or-treat bag may be more frightening than any
ghost or goblin. According to a new national survey of 678 moms
of children with food allergies - whether to peanuts, tree nuts, milk or eggs,
eight out of ten say Halloween causes a great deal of anxiety because they fear
their little ones might eat candy containing peanuts or another allergen.(1)
Their anxiety is heightened by the fact that food allergies can cause a
potentially life-threatening severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is caused when an allergic reaction becomes so severe that a person
may stop breathing. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict when a child with
food allergies might experience an anaphylactic reaction. According to the survey, 40 percent of moms said
that this time of year makes their children feel alienated because the child
can't fully engage or participate in Halloween activities.(1) The fear is so
great that nearly half of these moms said they are thinking about having their
child skip trick-or-treating altogether. |
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In spite of these concerns, less than half of
moms surveyed are adequately prepared to handle a life-threatening allergic
reaction - 43 percent of moms surveyed said they carry or have immediate access
to an epinephrine auto-injector, such as EpiPen(R) (epinephrine) and EpiPen(R)
Jr Auto-Injectors 0.3/0.15 mg.(1) EpiPen(R) Auto-Injector is a self-administered
medicine that is used in the emergency treatment of a severe allergic reaction,
including an anaphylactic reaction. "The Halloween season can be an emotionally
troubling time for children with food allergies because they are often faced
with the temptation of delicious treats they can't eat and parties they can't
fully enjoy. Halloween is also a frightening time for many parents who fear that
their child might accidentally eat an allergen-containing piece of candy or
treat while at school or out trick-or-treating," said Stacy DeBroff.
"But there's no reason your son or daughter needs to miss out on all the
fun this Halloween. With a good plan, they can still have an enjoyable time and
be prepared." The new survey was conducted by Mom Central, a
one-stop web resource dedicated to providing busy moms with smart household and
parenting solutions. Dey Pharma, L.P., a subsidiary of Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL)
sponsored the survey. A total of 678 moms of children with a known
allergy completed the online survey. The survey also found that:(1) "Parents of children with food allergies
need to be vigilant throughout the year, and at Halloween when the temptation
for sweet peanut-based or chocolate treats may be especially high. Even a child
who has experienced a mild allergic reaction to foods in the past may be at risk
for a more severe allergic reaction - or even anaphylaxis - in the future, so
it's vital that every parent and child is prepared," said Dr. Phil
Lieberman, Clinical Professor, Medicine and Pediatrics University of Tennessee
College of Medicine. "Whatever you do this season, make sure you know if
you or your child has allergies that are severe enough to put them at risk for
anaphylaxis, and if they are, be sure to ask your healthcare provider if you or
your child should have access to and carry an epinephrine auto-injector like
EpiPen(R) Auto-Injector. In the case of an anaphylactic emergency, prompt
administration of this medication can help save the child's life." Tips for an Allergy-friendly Halloween For parents of children with food allergies,
monitoring Halloween candy is just one way to avoid an accidental allergic
reaction. Stacy DeBroff from Mom Central offers additional tips for enjoying an
allergy-free holiday: For those children who do go trick-or-treating,
the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) offers these
helpful tips: About Food Allergies Food allergies are three to four times more
prevalent among children than adults and are a leading cause of anaphylactic
reactions, causing an estimated 30,000 emergency room visits and 150 deaths
annually.(2) Studies of deaths from anaphylaxis caused by food allergies have
found that nearly half of all such deaths occur in children aged 10 to 19. Even
though most of these children had known allergies to food, most of them were not
carrying their self-injectable epinephrine or had never even been prescribed the
medication.(3,4) Unfortunately, the vast majority of deaths from anaphylaxis
occur in people who do not receive epinephrine in time.(5) Learning More About Food Allergies Parents of children with food allergies should
consult their healthcare provider to learn more about the causes of allergies,
possible medical treatments, and emergency action plans in the case of an
anaphylactic reaction. Additional information about allergies and treatment can
be found at the Center for Anaphylactic Support(TM). The Center for Anaphylactic
Support(TM) provides a range of free information and support services for people
with severe allergic reactions and their caregivers. About EpiPen EpiPen(R) and EpiPen(R) Jr (0.3 and 0.15 mg
epinephrine) Auto-Injectors are for the emergency treatment of severe allergic
reactions (anaphylaxis) caused by allergens, exercise, or unknown triggers; and
for patients who are at increased risk for these reactions. EpiPen(R) and EpiPen(R) Jr Auto-Injectors are
designed for you to use immediately in an emergency, to treat an allergic
reaction fast and help give you time to get to a hospital or medical center.
EpiPen(R) and EpiPen(R) Jr Auto-Injectors are not a substitute for emergency
medical treatment. As with any medication, the EpiPen(R)
Auto-Injector has an expiration date printed directly on the unit and shelf
carton, and should therefore be replaced when the unit expires. The product
should be stored at room temperature and never refrigerated or kept where it
might be exposed to extreme temperatures, such as in the glove compartment of a
car. Dey Pharma, L.P., the worldwide distributor of
EpiPen(R) Auto-Injectors, offers patient support through free membership in the
EpiPen(R) Center for Anaphylactic Support (CAS) Program(TM). This program
provides helpful tips, resources and an expiration reminder program. Important Safety Information Each EpiPen Auto-Injector contains a single dose
of a medicine called epinephrine, which you inject into your outer thigh. DO NOT
INJECT INTRAVENOUSLY. DO NOT INJECT INTO YOUR BUTTOCK, as this may not be
effective for a severe allergic reaction. In case of accidental injection,
please seek immediate medical treatment. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you
have heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related
(cardiac) symptoms. Side effects may include an increase in heart
rate, a stronger or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea and vomiting,
difficulty breathing, paleness, dizziness, weakness or shakiness, headache,
apprehension, nervousness, or anxiety. These side effects usually go away
quickly, especially if you rest. If you have high blood pressure or an
overactive thyroid, these side effects may be more severe or longer lasting. If
you have heart disease, you could experience chest pain (angina). If you have
diabetes, your blood sugar levels may increase after use. If you have
Parkinson's disease, your symptoms may temporarily get worse. EpiPen and EpiPen Jr Auto-Injectors are intended
for immediate self-administration as emergency supportive therapy only and are
not intended as a substitute for immediate medical or hospital care. Talk to your doctor to find out if you should be
prescribed an EpiPen(R) and EpiPen(R) Jr Auto-Injector. About Dey Dey Pharma L.P., a subsidiary of Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq:
MYL), is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development,
manufacturing and marketing of prescription drug products for the treatment of
respiratory diseases, severe allergic reactions and psychiatric disorders. The
company puts patients first and facilitates efficient, cost-effective
partnerships with customers. About Mylan Inc. Mylan Inc. ranks among the leading generic and
specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world and provides products to
customers in more than 140 countries and territories. The company maintains one
of the industry's broadest and highest quality product portfolios supported by a
robust product pipeline; operates the world's third largest active
pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturer; and runs a specialty business focused on
respiratory and allergy therapies. Forward Looking Statement This press release contains statements that
constitute "forward-looking statements", including with regard to the
EpiPen Auto-Injector and the treatment of severe anaphylaxis. These statements
are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements inherently involve risks
and uncertainties, actual future results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could
cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the
effects of competition; changes in third-party relationships; decisions by
regulatory authorities; exposure to lawsuits; uncertainties and matters beyond
the control of management; and the other risks detailed in the periodic filings
filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes
after the date of this release. DEY(R), EpiPen(R), EpiPen 2-Pak(R), and EpiPen
Jr 2-Pak(R) are registered trademarks of Dey Pharma, L.P. Center for Anaphylactic Support(TM) (CAS) is a
trademark of Dey Pharma, L.P. A(C) Dey Pharma, L.P. 2009. All rights reserved.
Printed in the USA for USA residents only. (1) Mom Central Survey, September 2009. (2) Report of the Expert Panel on Food Allergy
Research. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National
Institutes of Health, 2003. (3) Bock SA, Munoz-Furlong A, Sampson HA.
Fatalities due to anaphylactic reactions to foods. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2001;
107(1): 191-93. (4) Bock SA, Munoz-Furlong A, Sampson HA.
Further fatalities caused by anaphylactic reactions to food, 2001-02. J Allergy
Clin Immunol. 2007;119(4):1016-18. (5) Sampson H, Mendelson L, Rosen J. Fatal and
near-fatal anaphylactic reactions to food in children and adolescents. N Engl J
Med. 1992;327:380-84. |
| Source: http://www.mylan.com |
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