A new app has been developed to help the parents and carers of kids with allergies to manage allergic reactions to food easier.
Allergy Pal is the new free app for kids with allergies created by leading paediatric allergists, Professor Katie Allen and Professor Mimi Tang from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. The app is a resource that gives parents quick access to their current ASCIA Action Plan, as well as crucial information about a child’s allergy triggers and treatments.
One in 10 Australian babies is born with a food allergy, which makes Australia the country with the highest number of food allergies in the world.
The allergists created this life saving app in conjunction with Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia and the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA).
“We know that many parents are unable to distinguish the difference between mild or severe food allergies,” said Prof Allen. “Knowing when to give an EpiPen is vital and can be the difference between a quick recovery, hospitalisation or a fatality.”
The other added benefit to the app is giving parents the peace of mind that when they aren’t in the care of their child, the family member, friend or teacher in their charge can also have access to their child’s crucial allergy plan and symptoms immediately.
“Our research has shown that parents of food allergy sufferers can have an impaired quality of life. The stress of leaving a child with grandparents or at a playdate can be immense,” said Prof Tang. “With Allergy Pal, we have made the task of handing over temporary care of your child safer, easier and less stressful.”
Allergy Pal is a free app and available for download in the iTunes store and Google Play for both Apple and Android devices.
