Auvi-Q Epinephrine Injector is Coming

Auvi-Q Epinephrine Injector

I first posted about a credit card sized epinephrine auto injector over two years ago. In a December 2009 post, I wrote about two brothers and their company Intelliject. I was most excited about the potential for this new product for teens and young adults. This age group often doesn't carry their epi injectors because it's "inconvenient". An injector smaller than a cell phone- now that sounded convenient.

Fast forward to last week when I had the opportunity to see this new product. I was invited to Sanofi's U.S. headquarters in N.J. to see Auvi-Q^® up close and to provide feedback to the team that has been working on bringing this product to the market. It was a fun day for me as I had an opportunity to hear from Dr. John Oppenheimer on the current state of anaphylaxis (more on that later this week). I also got a history lesson on the new product and shared lunch with some fellow food allergy advocates.

Auvi-Q is short for Audio Visual Cues. As the name suggests, the device carries both visual and audio instructions for use. As soon as it is pulled from the case, a friendly and calm voice begins walking the user through the steps. Here's what I really like about this product:

• the size- it's even littler than I expected and is smaller than my smartphone. My tween really liked the shape and size.
• the audio helper- everyone is nervous about having to use an auto-injector device. A voice guide really decreases anxiety.
• no need to swing device into outer thigh- with Auvi-Q, the user places the device on the outer thigh and pushes firmly.
• hidden needle- the needle in this injector goes into the leg and within one second retracts back into the device. There was always something about having to withdraw the needle that was unsettling. No accidental needle pricks to worry about here either!
• has been waterproof tested- the product can sustain some water and still operate effectively. It does contain a battery for the voice recording, but even if the battery no longer works, the injector itself will still operate and release the medicine.

Here's a little amateur video we made to show how easy it is to use:

Auvi-Q is FDA approved and scheduled to go on the market in the U.S. by the end of March 2013. At this time, the cost of the device is unknown, however, two active devices and one trainer will be the norm for prescriptions. Many epinephrine injector rules will remain the same, such as approximately one year expiration dates, a viewing window to ensure the medicine is a clear color, two different dosages depending on body weight and the need to be aware of temperature extremes.

Check out what some other food allergy bloggers are saying about Auvi-Q:
Grateful Foodie- Inspiring- We Met the Auvi-Q
AsthmaAllergiesChildren- Thoughts About the New Auto-Injector
Multiple Food Allergy Help- Auvi-Q Epinephrine
Amazing and Atopic- The Audio Visual Lifesaver 
Learning to Eat Allergen Free- AuviQ is Coming Soon

You can sign up to find out when Auvi-Q will be available, or keep an eye on Food Allergy Assistant for further updates. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. I am thrilled to have more options in the toolbox for managing food allergies and anaphylaxis.

Full disclosure: My travel expenses and lunch were covered by Sanofi, although I am under no obligation to review this product...but I just wanted to!

Food Allergy Anxiety

Stress Eating

Anxiety:

A state of uneasiness and apprehension, as about future uncertainties...A state of apprehension, uncertainty, and fear resulting from the anticipation of a realistic or fantasized threatening event or situation, often impairing physical and psychological functioning. (The Free Dictionary)

As the new year settles in, some of my food allergy anxiety is surfacing. I feel like another year has come and gone and we're still not making the kind of progress I'd like to see. When I think back to over 10 years ago, I was so hopeful when the allergist talked about outgrowing many, if not all, food allergies. I felt so optimistic about a cure right around the corner. I anticipated the necessary life-changes to be temporary.  

Each new year reminds me that time is marching on. Recently, things have even slid backwards a bit as I've now stopped putting a baked egg in cake recipes because it was causing allergic symptoms. It's hard to know what is the right thing to do. We are, however, anticipating this summer and the start of peanut immunotherapy. 

Of course there's some anxiety to accompany that as well...sigh!

There have been studies over the years about food allergies and feelings of anxiety. Both the food allergic and their loved ones report feeling worried, nervous and fearful. Children with food allergies are often reluctant to try new foods and report feelings of loneliness due in part to social isolation. Parents and caregivers deal with their own anxieties- is he getting enough nutrients?, is she growing properly?, will he have friends who really understand?, will she get bullied?, will he be able to date and go off to college?

It's perfectly normal to experience anxiety about these things. We need to look for ways to manage the worry- beyond the chocolate bowl, that is! It's time to take a deep breath and take stock.  For our family, entering the teen years with food allergies is going to bring a whole host of new issues. I'm looking ahead to give my soon-to-be teenager the tools needed for this next part of the journey. Here's my toolkit:

• 504 Plan- continue to update and ensure that accommodations are being made at school.
• Knowledge- share what I've learned (and continue to learn) with my food allergic child and others to make sure everyone understands the seriousness and the stakes.
• Resources- There are great role models out there like Morgan from Allergic Child and Sloane from Please Don't Pass the Nuts. FARE offers a teen summit and website to help this age group navigate school, friendships and the real world. 
•  Patience- for family members and friends who "still don't get it". It is hard to truly understand something unless you live with it each day (yup, that's what I'll keep repeating to myself over and over).
• Fearlessness with a twist- we need to travel, eat out and try new foods, using a reasonable amount of caution and common sense. 
• Balance- family, friends, social activities, food and non-food events can all co-exist in a steady manner. Maintain a steady course.

Do we need anything else in the toolkit?  Even with the right supplies, there will still be times of stress. Just in case, I'd better throw in some of that chocolate- dairy, peanut and tree nut free, of course!

Colleges Required to Make Accommodations for Students with Food Allergies

College Dining Halls

College students (both current and future) with food allergies just got a little boost from the Justice Department. A recent settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice and Lesley University has cleared up a few issues for colleges and how they need to manage food allergies on campus. Under the terms of this settlement, colleges must do more than simply provide allergen-friendly options in their dining halls. To be in compliance with the American Disabilities Act, this settlement sends the message that colleges need to:

• ensure their Disability Services office (or similar department) addresses food allergies.
• work with food allergic students to develop individualized meal plans.
• provide reasonable modifications to students with food allergies.
• display notices concerning food allergies and identify foods that contain specific allergens. 
• allow students the option to pre-order meals.
• provide students with food allergies a separate area to store and prepare food to avoid cross-contamination.
• educate and train food service and staff about food allergies.

Current and prospective college students with food allergies should expect a dining experience comparable to that of their fellow students. I think this settlement settles it.

New Device to Help Those with Food Allergy Eat Safely

New Smartphone Device

The iTube may turn any smart phone into a testing lab for food allergens. Professor Aydogan Ozcan, recently named "one of the world's most brilliant innovators" by Popular Science, is working on a small device that can identify allergens in food products. The smartphone attachment weighs just two ounces and uses the phone's built-in camera to turn images into measurements to show how much of an allergen (such as egg, peanut, etc.) is in the food product.

Now, this isn't quite as simple as taking a picture of a cookie. It involves grinding up the food and mixing in some water and some reactive agents in a test tube...and then taking the picture. The process takes about 20 minutes. The product was recently introduced in the journal, Lab on a Chip and NY Daily News offers a picture and article. 

I love the potential this has both at home and while eating out. Twenty minutes is not so long if you're placing a restaurant order. Instead of playing with sugar packets, food allergy families can pull out the test tubes and check menu items for safety. Hmmmm...I think there's a potential for a new game here...

It's not on the market yet, but is this something you would buy?

Small Intestine May Play Large Role in Food Allergy

In March, I talked about research related to dendritic cells and food allergies in a post called, "New Discovery May Help Food Allergic".  Last week, Massachusetts General released a new study focused on dendritic cells in the intestinal lining. They discovered that these cells collect antigens from both intestinal contents and the blood stream, leading to the generation of T cells that suppress inflammation. Researchers believe that the suppression of inflammation could bring about the inappropriate immune response characteristic of autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies. Controlling T cell activation in the intestine may play a role in understanding food allergies.

Take a look at the complete press release, Intestinal immune cells play an unexpected role in immune surveillance of the bloodstream, for more detailed information. This study was supported by several National Institutes of Health grants.

Food Allergy Friendly Holiday Cookies

Christmas Cookies

It's that time of year. I've pulled out my allergy friendly go-to holiday cookie recipe cards and I'm heading into the kitchen. I've borrowed recipes from others or adapted old favorites to meet our needs of milk, egg and nut-free. Many of these work well with your favorite gluten-free flour too. No one will ever suspect that these cookies are missing anything. They are all so delicious!

• When a chocolate cookie recipe comes from the Hershey Kitchens, I figure you can't go wrong. This recipe for Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies is easy to adapt. I use dairy-free margarine and I substitute the 2 eggs with a mixture of 3 Tablespoons water, 3 Tablespoons canola oil and 2 teaspoons of baking powder. I use dairy-free chips and eliminate the nuts. Simply divine!
• Food Allergy Mama's Chocolate Crinkles are already dairy, egg, nut free and yummy.
• This classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe by Sunmaid is another staple on my cookie tray. Again, I use a dairy-free margarine and substitute the one egg with a mixture of 1 1/2 Tablespoons water+ 1 1/2 Tablespoons canola oil and 1 teaspoon baking powder.
• Snickerdoodles always remind me of Christmas. Ummmm...that smell of cinnamon sugar baking...Sue W.'s recipe is also easily changed by using dairy-free margarine and substituting the 2 eggs with a mixture of 3 Tablespoons water, 3 Tablespoons canola oil and 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
• One of our new favorites is the 2010 FAANtastic Divvies Cookie Contest Winner. Libby, the creator of Double Chocolate Brownie Bites has also provided a gluten-free version of her recipe.

Happy baking...and eating! What cookies will you bake this season?

Could Tap Water Bring on Food Allergies?

What's in Your Tap Water?

Does the recent ACAAI study linking pesticides and food allergy have you eyeing up your glass of water a bit differently?

I'm still digesting this week's news about a link between a chemical that is used in pesticides and in the chlorination of tap water to an increase in food allergies.

The whole hygiene theory hasn't been sitting well with me (no, we're not overly clean. There is plenty of dust in my house, thank you.), and the idea that environmental changes have lead to the explosion in the food allergy rate does make some sense.

This particular study involved over 2100 people and measured their urine levels of dichlorophenols.  The results showed that people with higher levels of dichlorophenols were more likely to have food allergies.  Dichlorophenols, in case you were not aware (yeah, I never heard of them either) are chemicals found in pesticides used in farming and chemicals used to chlorinate water.

"Our research shows that high levels of dichlorophenol-containing pesticides can possibly weaken food tolerance in some people, causing food allergy," said lead study author Elina Jerschow, MD, in a release from the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. She further noted that previous studies have shown that food allergies and environmental pollution are increasing in the United States and this research may show a link between the two.

Researchers are quick to point out that further study is needed in this area and that pesticides or tap water do not necessarily cause food allergies.

Another piece of the food allergy puzzle perhaps...