Hidden allergens lurking at summer camp
The sun is up, the temps are hot and as Reveille sounds, campers know it’s time for another day of activities at summer camp.
Before campers and staff head off to the mess hall for breakfast and the day’s activities begin, certain health conditions must be considered. That’s because an estimated one in 13 children in the U.S. lives with food allergies – a common cause of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening (severe) allergic reaction.
Eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soybeans, cow’s milk and wheat are some of the most common allergens and may all be found in a camp’s dining hall or anywhere food is consumed. Caution should be taken, however, beyond mealtime and snack time. A number of hidden triggers can potentially be found in other places around the campground, such as latex in the art room, stinging and biting insects on the sports field and medications in the infirmary – to name a few.
Because life happens at camp or anywhere children spend their summers, it’s important to always be prepared with an anaphylaxis action plan, which includes:
- Avoiding known allergens
- Knowing what symptoms to watch for
- Having access to two epinephrine auto-injectors, such as EpiPen® (epinephrine injection) Auto-Injector, at all times and;
- Seeking immediate emergency medical care if anaphylaxis occurs
EpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® (epinephrine injection) Auto-Injectors are for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).
To help parents, kids and camp staff prepare for the upcoming camp season, Mylan Specialty has created Navigating Summer Camp with Life-threatening (Severe) Allergies, a new tip sheet telling you what you need to know for wherever you may go at camp.
