Allergies can be confusing. Anaphylaxis can be complicated. This Anaphylaxis Awareness Week, we wanted to help provide some clarity.
That’s why today (October 2nd 2024) we’re running two FREE webinars at 12 pm and 4:15 pm, each lasting just 30 minutes, featuring leading allergy professionals.
We’ll discuss allergy awareness, anaphylaxis treatment protocols, school policy, and more. Find out more and register for free below!
Dr Adam Fox
Adam is a Professor of Paediatric Allergy at King’s College London, Deputy Medical Director at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and a leading expert in paediatric allergy.
He has recieved multiple awards, leadership roles, and recognition for his contributions to allergy research and clinical care.
Jon Needham
Jon is the Director of Safeguarding for Oasis MAT, one of the largest multi-academy trusts in the UK.
He has a background in adolescent nursing, health service commissioning, WHO advisory roles, and is also a voluntary youth worker and PhD student.
Dr Helen Evans-Howells
Helen is a GP with an extended role in allergy, who runs her own private clinic.
She is also a lecturer, allergy mum/sufferer, and an Anaphylaxis UK Trustee.
Elaine Fraser
Elaine is a school teacher who recently experienced anaphylaxis for the first time, having previously had no known allergies.
She survived her life-threatening allergic reaction thanks to the school's on-site Kitt.
As it is anaphylaxis awareness week, we also wanted to break some myths.
Here are some of the most common misconceptions we hear all too regularly, alongside the actual truth:
❓"Adrenaline pens are dangerous"
💬 It's a natural hormone with minimal side effects. In the words of Professor Adam Fox, ‘It's a very, very safe drug'.
❓"I'll just use antihistamine / wait / call someone first"
💬 NHS guidance states that if it's anaphylaxis, you should use adrenaline first. The quicker it's used, the more effective it can be.
❓"We're nut free... no-one has allergies at our school/workplace"
💬 Anyone could develop an allergic reaction to pretty much anything, at any time. It's so much better to be aware, prepared and proactive than ignorant.
❓"People will just steal or break these, it's not safe"
💬 We've installed over 550 Anaphylaxis Kitts in schools & qualified businesses all across the UK and it hasn't happened.
❓"Why is it locked, what if you can't get in when you need it?"
💬 We wanted to make sure our Kitts are accessible and visible, but also secure, so we provide multiple keys with every Kitt & an emergency key box in case.
At the end of the day, we're thankful the positive support we receive far outweighs the negative...
But there's clearly so much more we need to do for allergy awareness and education.
Hopefully see you in one (or both) of our webinars!
