Epi-belt camouflage

I wouldn't "camouflage" my child's Epi-belt. In case of emergency, I'd rather it be very noticible, not hidden in some fashion. Funny - I'm just working on getting the embroidery redone on my sons cause the word EpiPen are no longer visible and I want people to know what he's wearing! Hmmm, isn't it interesting when people have differing opinions. Do what you think is right for you, but for me - no way - wear it proudly!

I think it is OK to cover up the epi belt. My son was wearing a fanny pack to school last year, and some of the older kids in the school would "flick" it and sort of laugh. Thankfully, he was just in kindergarten, so I dont think he realized that he was being teased. When I saw this happen, I ordered him the slimmer (but expensive) epi belt. It is MUCH easier to conceal. He is a boy, so he wears large untucked shirts. The belt is not even noticeable.

I think that it is important for the teachers to know that it is there--which they did. The teacher also had an epi in her desk, and there was one in the school healthroom (3 on campus in total). I also think it is important to keep him from being a target of bullying. As Im sure you know, kids WILL pick on anything that is different about you.

I guess I should consider my son lucky. He's worn a fanny pack or Epibelt since before kindergarten and has never been teased. (He just finished Grade 4!) In fact, he's never been teased or taunted about his allergies at all. For many years the class was shown a video, read a book and had a discussion the first day about his allergies, the symptoms, what do to in an emergency, and what the Epibelt was all about. As most of the children in his class are now familiar with it (and his allergies) they just do a refresher at the beginning of the year and that's it. You're absolutely right - kids can be cruel, but I guess if I had to choose between teasing and having emergency personnel whomever they be, be able to readily recognize his allergy (by way of a MedicAlert bracelet) and an Epibelt, I'd choose the latter. We all work so hard at protecting our kids and making sure they have safe surroundings. Why would we hide what may very well safe their life some day!

Hi mitch'smom

I was wondering which epi holder you're referring to. My son's been carrying the Epi Tote, which is quite visible. He's become really self-conscious of it, because everyone asks what it is, and he's tired of explaining it to everyone. It's also kind of uncomfortable for him.

I'd love to get a holder which is less visible, and more comfortable. Any info would be much appreciated!

Karen

BS312,

Do you have the Epi Belt? Is it the one from Zoni? We just received ours recently. I was disappointed to find out that the belt is too wide to fit through jean belt loops. I was hoping our son could wear it "as" a belt, under his shirts, and in a way that wouldn't be noticeable even to himself - meaning uncomfortable, shifting around his middle, etc...

Do you just keep the epi-pens in the belt? What about Benadryl or an inhaler. My son has started carrying his emergency meds in a medicine bag in his backpack. This works well, but I would feel better if it could be on him, but a fanny-pack would be bulky. What seems to work best for kids?

Askorose,

I am using the Zoni epibelt, as Lam mentioned. You cant put it through a belt loop, but it is very descreet. Much better than a fanny pack. If your child wears a shirt untucked, no one will ever see it.

Acbaay-this epi belt is designed to carry inhalers and benadryl tablet (I use the chewables). You can order your belt with different features and in different sizes.

I have been quite please with the one that I bought. It is sturdy and the casing is not much larger than the epipen itself. It fits nicely around my son's wast at the small of his back.

You can order this epi belt if you click "shopping" at the peanutallergy.com homepage. Or just click [url="http://www.zoniinc.com/"]http://www.zoniinc.com/[/url]

My son also wears the epibelt by Zoni. He's so active that within minutes his shirt has risen up and over the belt. It doesn't bother him at all and no one ever knows he has it on most of the time (when his shirt is over is belt). He doesn't even know if he has it on until he feels for it when I ask him. Just yesterday he said, "Mom, check the seatbelt. (to make sure it was below the epibelt). He didn't even have it on and he thought he did. It was snapped to my purse at the time.

I use the E-Belts : "belt style" (with antihistamine pouch) or the single "holster" style - depending on where I am going & what sort of clothes I'm wearing. Both are great, safe, comfortable & discreet. Being black, they don't stand out a mile, but I feel safe knowing they are there. If by some really remote chance they became dislodged, the injector would still be safe when it hit the ground!!

Don't worry : make as little fuss as possible and after a short while, the youngsters will feel the E-Belts have been "part of them" forever. I ceased to notice mine after the first week.

Stay safe!

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Those look a lot more comfortable than the Epi Tote. Do you just put the injector in as is, or can you keep the Protect tube in it as well?

Thanks for the info. It's kind of expensive, but if it makes him more comfortable, it's worth it!

Karen

Those look a lot more comfortable than the Epi Tote. Do you just put the injector in as is, or can you keep the Protect tube in it as well?

Thanks for the info. It's kind of expensive, but if it makes him more comfortable, it's worth it!

Karen

You use it without the protective tube. The e-belt acts as its own protective tube.

They ARE expensive, but it was a worthwhile investment to me.

The "safety holder" part of the E-Belt is made to just house the auto-injector on it's own and keep it clean, dust-free etc. And... it does!

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Nut / sesame allergy sufferer - developed @ age 40+. Live in the UK.

Oops! Sorry for the double post!

Thanks so much for the information, everyone. I am going to order it for my son before school starts. Now I can use the other tube to store his extra one.

I am so thankful that I found this forum [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Karen

Sorry - I called our Epi-pen holder by the wrong name. It is a double-tube Medipouch ([url]http://www.medipouch.com[/url]) which we bought at a FAAN conference. It came with 2 hard plastic tubes to hold the Epi-pens. I made a cloth pouch to cover it so that DD has a pretty pink Epi-pen holder with sparkly silver stars instead of plain black. She wore it for the first time today and it was quite comfortable.

BS312, I've been following this thread but hadn't responded because I didn't think I had anything to add. (My daughter doesn't "wear" her epi-pen; she keeps a FAAN medicine bag in her back pack.) I just wanted to let you know how glad I am to see that you came up with a fun and workable solution. I'm also impressed by your talents! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] Miriam

Miriam- Thank you for your kind words! I actually sewed a few "duds" before I came up with a decent cover [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img].

The Epi-Belt was the old name for the Zoni product, it is now the E-Belt.

Same product, new name.

Don't forget to let them know you are a PeanutAllergy.Com member if you order!

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Stay Safe,

[email]Chris@PeanutAllergy.Com[/email]

[This message has been edited by Chris PeanutAllergy Com (edited July 12, 2002).]

Thank you all for the great info. Do the people who wear the Zoni E-Belt use the single or double? Also, is it waterproof like for use in a water park? And do you wear it while playing sports? Sorry, so many questions.
Andrea

My son is using the single with the antihistamine pouch. I ordered him the single because it is smaller. Also, I am usually with him and I carry and additional epi-pen in my handbag. Also, when he is at school, there are two other epi's on campus.

I dont think it is waterproof, but I could be wrong. I suppose you could wear it while playing sports easily enough.

I just wanted to thank everyone again for the info. I just popped my order form off into the mail yesterday. I hope it comes before school starts. My son is really excited about having a belt that isn't bulky and won't draw as much attention to it [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Thanks again,
Karen