Food allergic teens: education, anaphylaxis and concerns

Results 16 adolescents (M = 11, F = 5); age 12-19; 15/16 peanut allergic, 10/16 other food allergens All had epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPen = 11; Allerject = 5) Teens believe they are well informed; often from parents; however they did identify important topics to incorporate into an education program for teens. Teens need/want to learn more about: cross-contamination, advisory statements on food labels, allergens in nonfood products, recognizing a reaction, staying calm during a reaction, teaching friends – signs of a reaction and auto-injector use, communicating confidently with others – strategies for what to say in situations and hands on practice with the auto-injectors. Food allergy related topics teens would like to discuss: travelling, dating, partying, grocery shopping, cooking, symptoms of a reaction versus anxiety, new treatments and research. Concerning themes around anaphylaxis noted were: reactions are dealt with by “waiting it out” or “sleeping it off”; epinephrine is only used if you can’t breathe, can’t talk or think you’re dying); antihistamines can be used as first line treatment.