For many, managing severe allergies doesn’t stop when you ‘grow up’. In fact, the statistics show that individuals in their teens 20’s are at greatest risk of fatal reactions. With all the responsibility of becoming an adult, those at risk also have the sole responsibility for managing the life-threatening risks they face every day.

It’s a big responsibility, but with the right information and support sufferers can take control of their condition.

Quick tips

• Encourage your college, university or workplace to join Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia so they have easy access to support, information and resources needed to help create an allergy-aware environment.

• If you have a severe allergy, it’s important to tell your employer before you start work, so they can consider implementing strategies to reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions. Tell selected workmates so they know you have a potentially life threatening allergy. We don't want this to be a secret. If a few people at work know, you will have some support and have a better chance of managing an emergency effectively.

• Wear some form of medical identification symbol on a bracelet or necklace. In times of emergency this will remind others that you have a medical condition and you carry specific medication for it.

• If you have an adrenaline (epinephrine) injector (such as EpiPen® Anapen®) prescribed, ensure you have an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and Emergency medical kit with your adrenaline/epinephrine auto-injector with you at all times or in the workplace in a location known to the employer, supervisor or person in charge.

• Train your friends and colleagues to recognise severe allergic reactions and administer adrenaline via an injector in case you’re unable to administer the medication yourself.

• Because of the potential severity of allergic reactions, NO worker should be expected to be completely responsible for the administration of their adrenaline injector. Assistance should be provided.  Remember, no one needs a first aid certificate in order to administer an adrenaline injector. Adults should show selected friends and colleagues how to use emergency medication and advise them to always call an ambulance once it is administered.

• You can print off or buy a colour ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis from Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia

Content updated July 2021