#KnowYourEPI

If you haven't already heard, Gina Mennett Lee, M.Ed, has created a 2015 Beyond Awareness Food Allergy Educational Campaign. You can see it on FoodAllergyConsulting.com, Nut Free Wok, Grateful Foodie, and Food Allergy Buzz. But, as much as I respect their opinions as allergy moms, I'm the one who has actually had to have the EpiPen jabbed into my leg. The good news: if properly trained, the pain of the needle isn't nearly as bad as the suspense that builds up when you're putting off using it out of fear, and the benefits far outweigh the risks. The bad news: people still don't know how to use their own auto-injectors properly!

Considering how much the food allergy community prides ourselves on being prepared and always carrying auto-injectors, we're stunningly uneducated on the use of these life-saving devices. According to one study, only 16% of patients demonstrated proper use of an auto-injector. This study by the University of Virginia breaks down the data for each type of error for each device (in 48 participants). INT01 and INT02 are Auvi-Q prototypes at the time of the study.

So, what does all of this mean for you? As an allergy community, we need to take initiative to make sure that we are demonstrating proper use of our auto-injectors.

1. Watch a training video. The instructions may seem painfully obvious if you've had auto-injectors for a while, but it's always good to go back to the basics. Bonus: Auvi-Q's app has a trainer simulator.

Adrenaclick® Training Video

Allerject® Training Video
Auvi-Q® Training Video

Epipen® Training Video

Generic Auto-injector Training Video

2. Take advantage of free trainers. These are included in most auto-injector prescriptions, but it can't hurt to have extras. You can even practice using other devices. Bonus tip: if you're considering switching brands, order a couple trainers to carry around for a while. You can test ease of use with your doctor's trainers, but the only way to test convenience carrying is to try it for yourself.

Epipen® Trainers (order up to five)

Allerject® Trainers

Generic Auto-injector ( also Adrenaclick®) Trainers

3. Get auto-injectors. Knowing how to use them isn't helpful if you don't have them with you. You should take two everywhere you go: home, school, sports, etc. Choose the brand that's best for your lifestyle without worrying about the cost with these 2015 $0 copay cards.

Auvi-Q® Copay Card

Epipen® Copay Card (up to six EpiPens at a time)
Generic Auto-injector Copay Card

4. Get a free case. Having a case is always nice. You can even slip in the instructions for use. Etsy and Pinterest have some really cute ones, but a few companies give them away for free.

EpiPen®Case

Allerject® Case

5. Learn more. This should probably be higher on the list, but knowledge is power. Fearing the EpiPen will not help anyone. This is a Pinterest board with videos of the needles, auto-injector x-rays, dissected EpiPens and Auvi-Qs, and more. [Frankly, it's cool to look at even if you're a pro.]

Follow Allergic Butterfly's board EpiPens and Auvi-Qs on Pinterest.