So I really cant do anything if I need an Epipen?

[Level100MafiaBoss]

What do you need the epipen for?

Shellfish,in particular shrimp. Other ones I can just take antihistamines, according to my allergist.

 

[sarahsmom]

Here’s a thought that just occurred to me… Combat gauze is made with shellfish is it not? Like the protein and combat gauze and quick clot that makes the blood clot some kind of shellfish protein? Maybe that’s why a shellfish allergy is such a big red flag for the RMO.

 

[brihard]

Here’s a thought that just occurred to me… Combat gauze is made with shellfish is it not? Like the protein and combat gauze and quick clot that makes the blood clot some kind of shellfish protein? Maybe that’s why a shellfish allergy is such a big red flag for the RMO.

I teach these dressings for my organization (non-CAF), so I can offer a bit on this. The chitosan used in hemostatic dressings, while derived from shellfish, has not itself been found to be allergenic to those with shellfish or shrimp allergies. There’s been some proper published research on this, though not a ton.

Safety of chitosan bandages in shellfish allergic patients - PubMed

All participants tolerated the HemCon bandage without reaction. This is the first study demonstrating the safety of this bandage in shellfish allergic subjects.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[dapaterson]

If you insist on bringing well documented research into discussions, you'll never make it in government.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

If you insist on bringing well documented research into discussions, you'll never make it in government.

For the win…

 

[medicineman]

Here’s a thought that just occurred to me… Combat gauze is made with shellfish is it not? Like the protein and combat gauze and quick clot that makes the blood clot some kind of shellfish protein? Maybe that’s why a shellfish allergy is such a big red flag for the RMO.

Combat Gauze uses kaolin, which is found in clay (can be used to treat diarrhea - KAOpectate) and is not a shellfish protein. I stopped carrying the chitosan powder at work and only carry Combat Gauze.

 

[sarahsmom]

Combat Gauze uses kaolin, which is found in clay (can be used to treat diarrhea - KAOpectate) and is not a shellfish protein. I stopped carrying the chitosan powder at work and only carry Combat Gauze.

Perfect. It was a thought that drifted through my head in the treadmill and just made me wonder. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[childs56]

We had a nurse in the jail who jabbed himself with an Epi Pen - not once...but twice.
Don't ask me how he got to be a nurse but I am sure with my limited medical knowledge I could have done a better job.

Thats sounds like the place I work at

 

[Harlan35]

I am in the same boat. Shrimp. I’ve had cross contamination exposure a few times and had delayed skin reactions.

My exposure appointment is next week. I know I’m going to skin react…but hopefully not anaphylaxis…problem is I don’t know if the doctor is going to go the route of “well, reactions can get worse over time so let’s keep the epi-pen”. If that is the case I hope I can still appeal.

It’s easier than people think to avoid shellfish….it’s only happened to me in restaurants, again, with cross contamination and minor reactions. It’s not something like peanuts, olives / olive oil, or latex…

I’m hoping by the time they get to feeding me a whole one…that my body holds out. Otherwise between physical prep / a bit of shoulder rehab, and the whole application process, I just wasted the last 10 months…and wouldn’t really be sure where to go from there.

I wish us both luck