If you have a severe allergic reaction to one species of fish, it is generally recommended that you avoid all fish. The same goes for shellfish: if you have had a past allergic reaction to one type of shellfish, you should avoid all shellfish.
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network offers the following advice regarding fish and shellfish allergies:
- Fish-allergic individuals should avoid fish and seafood restaurants because of the risk of contamination in the food-preparation area of their "non-fish" meal from a counter, spatula, cooking oil, fryer, or grill exposed to fish.
- Fish protein can become airborne during cooking and cause an allergic reaction.
- Some individuals have had reactions from walking through a fish market.
In addition, Twinject reminds you to:
- Inform your employer, school, college, or child's playgroup about your or your child's allergy to ensure a safe work, study, or play environment.
- Don't be shy about reminding food service and childcare workers about your or your child's food allergy during each visit. It's better to be safe than sorry!
- Print and use the Chef's Food Allergy Alert Card when eating meals away from home.
- Remember to carry your Twinject with you at all times.
For more information about food allergies, visit www.foodallergy.org.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT TWINJECT: Twinject is indicated in the emergency treatment of severe allergic reaction (type I) including anaphylaxis to stinging insects and biting insects, allergen immunotherapy, foods, drugs, diagnostic testing substances, and other allergens, as well as anaphylaxis to unknown substance or exercise-induced anaphylaxis.
Since the dose of epinephrine delivered from Twinject 0.15 mg is fixed at 0.15 mg, the physician should consider other forms of injectable epinephrine if doses lower than 0.15 mg are felt to be necessary (eg, patients who weigh less than 15 kilograms [approximately 33 pounds]).
Twinject should only be injected into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. Accidental injection into the hands or feet may result in loss of blood flow to the affected area and should be avoided. DO NOT INJECT INTO BUTTOCK. DO NOT INJECT INTRAVENOUSLY.
Epinephrine should be administered with cautio to patients with cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery or organic heart disease, or hypertension. In patients with coronary insufficiency or ischemic heart disease, epinephrine may precipitate or aggravate angina pectoris as well as produce ventricular arrhythmias. It should be recognized that the presence of these conditions is not a contraindication to epinephrine administration in an acute life-threatening situation. Adverse reactions to epinephrine include transient, moderate anxiety; apprehensiveness; restlessness; tremor; weakness; dizziness; sweating; palpitations; pallor; nausea and vomiting; headache; and/or respiratory difficulties.
Twinject is designed as an emergency supportive therapy only and is not a replacement or substitute for immediate medical care.
