Nonprofit Allergy Awareness
Helping families, schools, and caregivers recognize allergic reactions and respond with confidence.
Emergency Response
Give epinephrine immediately for any one severe symptom, or for mild symptoms from more than one body area.
Severe symptoms — give epinephrine immediately if the person has any of these:
Also give epinephrine if the person has mild symptoms from more than one body area (for example, a few hives and mild nausea).
⚡ When in doubt — give the epinephrine. It is always safer to administer it than to wait.
In an anaphylactic emergency, every second counts. Follow these steps clearly and quickly. Give epinephrine first, then call 911.
Important: There are several epinephrine devices available, including auto-injectors and nasal sprays. Familiarize yourself with the device you or your child carries, and read its instructions, before a reaction occurs. Steps and hold times vary by device. Devices come in two-packs, so always keep both together.
Look for any severe symptom listed above, such as trouble breathing, a tight or hoarse throat, many hives, repetitive vomiting, or fainting. Mild symptoms from more than one body area count too.
Auto-injector: pull it from its carrier and remove the safety cap by pulling straight up — do not twist. Nasal spray: remove it from its package, holding it with your thumb on the plunger.
Auto-injector: press firmly against the outer thigh until you hear a click. Nasal spray: insert the nozzle into one nostril and press the plunger firmly. Do not wait to see if symptoms get worse.
Auto-injectors must be held in place for the time listed in the device's instructions. This varies by device — some are as short as 2 seconds. Nasal sprays do not need a hold time.
Once epinephrine has been given, call emergency services. Tell the dispatcher the person is having anaphylaxis and request an ambulance with epinephrine.
Lay the person flat and raise their legs. If breathing is difficult or they are vomiting, let them sit up or lie on their side.
If there is a problem giving the first dose, or symptoms don't improve or return, use the second device from the two-pack about 5 minutes or more after the last dose.
Go to the emergency room even if symptoms go away. Stay at least 4 hours, because symptoms may return (biphasic reaction).
Dose depends on body weight. Ask your allergist which one is right for you or your child, and see each product's website for training videos.
| Product | Type | Doses & weight ranges |
|---|---|---|
| neffy (ARS Pharma) | Nasal spray | 1 mg: 33 to under 66 lbs 2 mg: 66 lbs or more |
| AUVI-Q | Auto-injector | 0.1 mg (purple): 16.5 to 33 lbs 0.15 mg (blue): 33 to 66 lbs 0.3 mg (red): 66 lbs or more |
| Authorized generic of Adrenaclick (Amneal) | Auto-injector | 0.15 mg (orange): 33 to 66 lbs 0.3 mg (yellow): over 66 lbs |
| Generics of EpiPen & EpiPen Jr (Teva) | Auto-injector | 0.15 mg (green): 33 to 66 lbs 0.3 mg (yellow): 66 lbs or more |
| EpiPen, EpiPen Jr & authorized generics (Viatris) | Auto-injector | 0.15 mg (green): 33 to 66 lbs 0.3 mg (yellow): 66 lbs or more |
Every option comes in a two-pack; keep both devices together.
Important: Epinephrine is not a substitute for emergency medical care. Always give epinephrine first, then call 911. Never leave a child alone after a reaction. Bring the used device to the hospital.
Information on this page is based on guidance from FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education).
Quick Reference
Select symptoms you're seeing. This is a quick guide only — if unsure, give epinephrine and then call 911.
When in doubt — give the epinephrine. Do not wait for symptoms to get worse.
Your allergist may prefer that epinephrine be used even for mild symptoms, so always follow your personalized Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan.
Food Safety
Select an allergy type below to see which foods to avoid and safer alternatives to consider.
Please note: The information below is a general guideline only. Every allergy is different — what's safe for one person may not be safe for another. Always work with a board-certified allergist to get a personalized and accurate list of foods to avoid for your specific allergy.
Wheat allergy is not the same as celiac disease. A wheat allergy is an immune (IgE) reaction to proteins in wheat and can cause anaphylaxis. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, which is also found in barley and rye. If you have celiac disease, talk with your doctor about what to avoid.
Learn More
Everything you need to know about what causes allergic reactions, how to prevent them, and how to plan ahead.
Allergy Alert Wristbands
Bold red wristband, easy to spot
Our wristbands display a bold "Allergy Alert" message and our website address — simple, clear, and universally recognizable in any emergency.
No personal info required on the band. Anyone who sees it knows to take action immediately.
We are distributing wristbands right now — in person and at no cost.
If you would like to request one, email us at allergyalert29@gmail.com and we'll get one to you.
Our Mission
Hi, my name is Lily Kunjummen, and I started Allergy Alert to help keep children with food allergies safe and give caregivers the tools they need.
Millions of children across the country live with food allergies every day. Allergic reactions can happen anywhere, at any time, often when they are least expected. In those critical moments, the people nearby may not know that a child has a food allergy or how to respond appropriately. For children who are too young or unable to communicate their allergies, this can be especially dangerous.
Allergy Alert was created to raise awareness, educate communities, and provide simple resources that help children with food allergies stay safer wherever they go.
Making allergies visible
Our bright red wristbands make a child's allergy immediately visible, sparking awareness and opening important conversations before an emergency ever occurs.
Faster, more confident responses
When those around a child recognize an allergy early, they can respond more quickly and effectively in an emergency — and that time can make all the difference.