Tips from Actress Sarah Jessica Parker
(BPT) There are up to 43 million people in the U.S. at risk for anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, and Sarah Jessica Parker’s son is one of them.
Actor, producer, and businesswoman Sarah Jessica and her family did not know much about severe allergies until her son experienced anaphylaxis as a young child after eating food containing peanuts. His mouth was swelling, he was coughing, and his ears were red. He was rushed to the doctor and immediately treated with an epinephrine auto-injector. His allergist later diagnosed him with severe allergies to peanuts and hazelnuts.
Now, Sarah Jessica is sharing her story as the mother of a child with severe allergies. She has joined leading advocacy organizations to drive national attention to the serious and unpredictable nature of anaphylaxis, and shine a spotlight on the realities of managing severe allergies through Anaphylaxis: For Reel™.
“By joining Anaphylaxis: For Reel™, my hope is that people living with severe allergies, like my son, and their caregivers, like me, will be motivated to create and follow an anaphylaxis action plan,” Sarah Jessica says. “It wasn’t until my son experienced anaphylaxis and was diagnosed with severe allergies that we realized just how serious the risks are, and how crucial it is to take proactive steps to manage his food allergies.”
Sarah Jessica is working to raise awareness about the importance of having an anaphylaxis action plan, which includes avoiding allergic triggers, recognizing the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, always having access to two epinephrine auto-injectors and knowing when to use them, and seeking emergency medical care after use. Sarah Jessica and her family have learned that epinephrine is the only first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. Antihistamines don’t treat or relieve the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis.
“It’s amazing to me how drastically the dialogue around food allergies has increased over the past decade, but there is still much more we can do to help the millions of people who are at risk for anaphylaxis,” says Sarah Jessica. “Many at risk aren’t as in control as they might think, and many don’t realize their next reaction could be life-threatening.”
For families who are managing severe allergies, like Sarah Jessica’s, it’s important to understand the risks of anaphylaxis and how to respond if it occurs. Anaphylaxis: For Reel™ is part of the Get Schooled in Anaphylaxis™ initiative which offers online resources and an extensive library of information at www.Anaphylaxis101.com. The website includes helpful tools for families managing severe allergies, including background information on food allergies and anaphylaxis, allergy tips and guides, school forms and checklists, and more.
